The Bucks Student - Edition 41

edition 41 ÂŁ16,000 fees?

Pokemon Blue

Activties Week

Happy Halloween

Union Jack

page 4

page 15

page 23

page 31

page 38

Staff Plan Strike

An untold number of staff will strike on 31 October Unison, Unite, and the University and College Union (UCU) are three of the largest university unions in the UK. The Unions encompass a variety of different types of university staff including technicians, administrative staff, and lecturers. Following a majority vote from its members, all three union organisations have announced that they will be going on strike at the end of this month on 31 October.

The action comes in response to a one percent increase in pay offered to university staff by various institutions. While on paper the one percent increase does mean more money, because the increase in pay is

inconsistent with in the rise in inflation in practical terms the university staff are actually suffering a pay cut. This year will mark the third consecutive year in which university staff will be receiving an increase in pay less than the rise in inflation. It is speculated that since 2010, university staff have suffered a 13% decrease overall in real term pay.

Unison, Unite and the UCU all claim that the strike will bring institutions around the country to a standstill. Considering the fact that together they have a cumulative total of nearly 3.5 million members, this is probably likely. However, it has been speculated in various different

media that no more than about five percent of the members across unions have participated in the vote. If this is the case then it is expected that the strike will have a minimal impact on the university experience for students around the country.

Deputy Student Editor Harmeet Singh Anand

2 The Bucks Student October 2013

contributers

introducing

Editor - Naomi Franco naomi.franco@bucks.ac.uk Student Editor - Tom Badger student.editor@thebucksstudent.com Deputy Student Editor - Hameet Singh Anand student.editor@thebucksstudent.com Must Read Editor mustread@thebucksstudent.com Student Essentials Editor studentessentials@thebucksstudent.com After Hours Editor afterhours@thebucksstudent.com

get involved If you want to get involved in the paper it’s very easy! If you have a passion for writing, feel you want to get your voice heard, or want to cover something that we may be missing from our current paper, then get in touch: Email: student.editor@thebucksstudent.com

Editor Naomi Franco

Student Editor Tom Badger

Third newspaper of the year already isn’t time is just flying by? But, you know what they say: “time flies by when your having fun.” And the fun doesn’t stop now. We have numerous amounts of opportunities to get involved in from volunteering and fundraising to certified courses and sports to trips and live entertainment. And of course its all FREE! Take advantage of these various opportunities, try something new, why not? I can’t stress enough, the importance of getting involved in the Union.

Getting involved with the Union literally changed my life, I found my passion for sport, ran for a committee position, took part in extra volunteering and fundraising activities and I am now the head of an organisation that turns over £2 million, made friends for life and memories I will never forget.

Today I was told that my hair made me look like a member of ‘The Cure’. Time for a haircut, maybe?

I just want to thank those who signed up to “The Big Quiz” league on Sunday nights at the Venue. It’s been a great success; loads of you keep on coming to hear my poor jokes and have a laugh, singing Sk8er Boi at the top of your lungs. So thank-you: for a few hours every week I have a fantastic time and my ego is well and truly tripped.

This paper has been the most fun to write in so far, because it’s full of the random stuff that people have written because that’s what they wanted to write about. And that’s the best bit about being in the newsgroup. It revolves around you. Much like the girls at Spearmint Rhino.

Honestly, we are always looking for writers to send in content for the paper. We have a great team who put this thing together, but we want it to voice as many ideas and opinions as possible so that this paper becomes more reflective of those who it’s supposed to represent and inform.

I won’t bleat on about the benefits, they speak for themselves to those who are part of it. And they are massive. I don’t have time for details, another repeat of “Mock the Week” is about to start on Dave.

Naomi Franco

search: Bucks Student Newsgroup

advertising For all advertising and media enquiries please contact the Students’ Union Communications and Marketing department.

Deputy Student Editor Harmeet Singh Anand

Simon McDowell simon.mcdowell@bucks.ac.uk

Hello all, I think it’s pretty safe to say that we are in the thick of it now!

The academic year is in full swing: the topics in our courses are getting more complicated; societies are meeting regularly; and the campuses feel as busy as ever.

I think now is as a good time as ever to remember to have fun. By this, I don’t just mean taking a couple hours everyday to relax (although that is very important!), I mean remember to have fun as you engage yourself with your course and university. A lot of this comes down to simply having the right attitude. Remember, it’s not work if you are having fun doing it, so try and work as little as possible when at university.

Articles in this newspaper do not necessarily represent the views of Bucks Students’ Union but are that of the specific author. View this edition online at bucksstudentsunion.org/communications.

If required, this document can be made available in different formats.

Please contact the Students’ Union for more information. © 2013 Bucks Students’ Union

sabb chat

Everything we do as an organisation will work towards a vision for our members. A future where all members, regardless of background, can come together to create new communities based on shared interests and ideas. Where members are inspired to embrace educational opportunities, to discover and control their own destiny. Where members both create and exploit opportunities for each other in equal measure.

Where the collective strength of the membership is recognised, valued and respected. Where members are trained, equipped and supported to lead their communities in shaping the University experience. Where opportunity is never defeated by circumstance.

making life better for students at bucks

Hello! And welcome to the latest edition of the Bucks Student. We are now fully rocking and rolling into this academic year. This edition contains an 8 page pull out on the amazing Activities Week. If you still don’t know what it is, check it out!

We love to hearing from our members - whether it’s positive feedback about food or live music in our bar or alternatively something you feel we can improve on, we want to hear from you.

Naomi Franco, President naomi.franco@bucks.ac.uk Matt Gilbert, Vice President Student Involvement matt.gilbert@bucks.ac.uk Jack Badu, Vice President Education and Welfare jack.badu@bucks.ac.uk

October 2013 The Bucks Student 3

Campus Chat

All the latest goings-on around the High Wycombe and Uxbridge Campuses.

news in tweets

Union news

The Council Prioritises The Union Council is one of the most important aspects of the Students Union. Students on our Union council are entrusted with decision making powers and are responsible for ensuring that the Students’ Union operates in a way that benefits its membership - that’s you as Bucks Students!

It exists as a consultative body to discuss policy and prioritise campaigns, to give direction to the Union Executive (our elected student sabbatical officers Naomi, Jack and Matt), to review budgets and most importantly to represent you, the Union’s 10,000 members ensuring that your issues and concerns are being addressed.

Take a look at what happened this month at Union Council: >> Naomi, Matt and Jack fed back to student council members on all they had been doing to represent you in the new academic year >> Student council members were consulted by University academic Simon Brown on what they wanted to see from assessment feedback >> Council members were asked to discuss a number of our campaign priorities, such as the quality of your library books, assessment feedback being returned on time and the suitability of your

learning spaces, such as the fact the University lacks a stage for our actors and dancers! Through an interactive task attendees got thinking about the number of students these issues affected and the impact they had. >> Finally students voted to decide which local Charity would join Macmillan and Great Ormond Street as our RAG charities this year (see page ... for more information!) >> And let us not forget the all important free food!

If you are interested in coming along next time here are the dates of our next meetings: >> Tuesday 12 November >> Tuesday 3 December >> Tuesday 28 January We normally get started at 5pm so email naomi.franco@bucks.ac.uk if you want to join us or just meet us there!

news in brief

Sport for Fun Success The Union has received just over £300,000 from Sport England to make a wide programme of recreational sport available to students for free. So far this term over 500 students have taken advantage

of the scheme, playing sports ranging from football and squash to swimming and golf. To find out how you can take part visit the Student Activities section of bucksstudentsunion.org

Faculty Officers Appointed The most senior student representatives in each Faculty have been appointed. Nyarko Afriyie will represent students in Society & Health whilst Harmeet Singh Anand, Tom Badger and Connor Baker will give voice to the students of Design Media & Management. If you want to contact your Faculty Officer then find them on Facebook or email our Student Engagement Coordinator will.hoskin@bucks.ac.uk in the first instance.

Student Training Programme Launched The Students’ Union is working hard to support the employability of our members and to that end we have just launched out Term 1 Training Programme. Students can access a wide range of opportunities including CV writing courses, safeguarding training

and a whole host more, all at absolutely no cost. In order to see what’s on offer visit bucksstudentsunion.org/events or look out for the new Training Guide.

@BucksSU @BucksSU_UXB Lauren Troiano @laurentroiano Activities week looks great! SO many things I would have gone to when I was a student. Get involved Bucks! @buckssu http:// www.bucksstudentsunion.org/ activitiesweek BNU Ladies Football @BNUFootballW @buckssu great team performance today against Canterbury. Unlucky to loose. Man of the match @ GraceShiels & Catherine Ray #BucksGameDay Bucks Students’ Union @Buckssu HORROR COMPETITION - submit your best scary video on instagram to @BucksStudentsUnion for your chance to the HORROR PACK Lucy Green @lucyjgreen @BNUtennisclub @buckssu Well done girls!!!

Bucks Students’ Union @Buckssu Online guide to Activities Week now available! Check out over 200 free sessions, events and classes http://www.bucksstudentsunion.org/ activitiesweek @bucksnewuni DJ Sugar Puff @DJDanHarding Who’s ready for another huge Frat House Wednesday @buckssu !!!

Let’s go get set for some huge EDM all mixed up with loads of club bangers.

4 The Bucks Student October 2013

Why is the library so loud?

a response from a member of staff

In the last editon of the Bucks Student (Edition 40) Deputy Student Editor, Harmeet Singh Anand wrote his thoughts and finding as to why the Gateway Library at the High Wycombe Campus is so noisy.

In the article Harmeet picked out 3 key points which he said contribute to the noise level of this learning, knowledge and resource centre. These were: 3: The design of the building The library has the unfortunate disadvantage of being located in the Gateway Building. The ground floor and the first floor of the building can be busy at various times of the day, and it would be unreasonable to try and quiet the students down as they are trying to grab a coffee or are going into class. This is made worse by the fact that there are huge gaps in the floor leading all the way down to the first floor, thus allowing sound to travel all the way to the top of the building.

2: The library is not presented as a place to do work When we enter the library, we see many signs asking us to not eat or drink anything, but very little is said about our expected behaviour. Furthermore, the tables in the library are more suited to a cafe or a canteen rather than a library. Most of the tables in the library are very large, colourful, and allow for more than one person per desk.

This encourages students to sit and talk, rather than sit and study.

1: Lack of enforcement There is simply a lack of staff present at all times to enforce a quiet library. When there is noise, students who feel bothered have very little they can do. The only real thing a student can do is go to the front desk and complain. For one, this requires unnecessary effort, especially for a student who is actively trying to concentrate.

Furthermore, it will be slightly obvious to the students who is making the complaint, which in turn might cause some unnecessary friction. We must also consider the fact that complaining to the front desk is a delayed and more importantly a temporary solution. It will take some time for the person dealing with the complaint to go to the source of noise, and once the situation is taken care of there is very little to guarantee that another source of noise will not emerge.

Since then a member of University staff who works in the library has written to us a response to Harmeets words - they have asked to remain anonymous.

“Harmeet raises important points on this issue; our main problem, of course, is that the building (however great as a social space, etc) has been designed as more of a dramatic showpiece than a functioning university library. Had the library team been consulted while it was still on the drawing-board, several design issues could and would have been raised. We were, instead, presented with a fait accompli and have had to make the best of it. One problem is that we are encouraged by the SMT to adopt a “if the students want it, they should have it” mindset - fine for the students who want a meeting-place/Internet café but failing to cater for those (from whom we receive many complaints on this issue) who want a quiet (and food-free) environment for reading, writing and studying (what many might call a “proper” library). In the old Timberlake library, polite signs were attached to every wall reminding library users to keep quiet, (and not eat or drink) - an offender could thus usually be dealt with by simply pointing to the sign above their head and a raising of the eyebrows! In the new library, such prominent signs are apparently taboo (apart from a handful of tiny and rather apologetic ones which concern themselves mostly with food/drink) - again , it seems, as they might be deemed rather “unfriendly”, or “alienate” students; the phrase “throwing out the baby with the bathwater” comes to mind, as we are thus often actually alienating serious students and encouraging instead a kind of café culture (which happens to contain some books). Despite being so friendly and helpful (they`re hardly Bully Boys!), our security staff are also encouraged to avoid any library patrols unless summoned to an incident - again, it would appear, for similar reasons - and the small library team (who have much behind-the-scenes work on their plates) trying to control a building with this layout is inevitably doomed to failure. Yes, university workers now find themselves in a brave new world of retail, selling education for a high price to “consumers”, but does this need imply that students should necessarily have greater “freedoms”, particularly at the expense of others? Certainly, at school they were not given carte blanche to behave as they chose, nor will this apply when they move on to the world of paid work. My taxes go toward the maintenance of the public library, for example, but this does not grant me the right to treat the place as a noisy café. The answer? One idea might be to relocate the library altogether (the Red Shed? Even ultimately - the Rose Garden?) to a more controllable environment. In the meantime we need to exert greater control over the building in which we find ourselves. Until then the noise and disruption will continue.”

Fees to £16,000?

Earlier this month Professor Andrew Hamilton, the vice chancellor of the University of Oxford, expressed a very controversial opinion regarding higher education tuition fees in the UK. Hamilton stated in his annual speech that leading universities in the UK should not be subject to the £9,000 cap currently imposed on tuition fees. He further pointed out that it costs a minimum of £16,000 to educate a student at university level. As expected, the comment was met with mixed response.

Lecturer’s from various different organisations, including some from the University of Oxford itself, have heavily criticised the statement.

Others, including the members of the Russell Group, have publicly expressed their support.

While Hamilton’s statement is not a definite indication of things to come, it is more than slightly worrying. His comment seems to suggest that the deep-pocketed “elite” universities may be looking to lobby the government to increase the current cap.

In response to Hamilton’s statement Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg told the press that the Government will not increase the tuition fees to £16,000. While on paper this may seem reassuring, in practice there is still a lot to worry about. Nick Clegg, and the rest of the Liberal Democrat ministers famously pledged before the 2010 election that they

would not increase the tuition cap from £3,000. However, once they were elected into office and push came to shove they immediately backpedaled and did a u-turn on their position.

It goes without saying that another increase in tuition fees will have a significant impact on a university like Bucks. While Bucks has proven in certain areas to be among the best universities in the country, it is still, in this author’s opinion, in certain areas relatively new and unknown.

What attracts a lot of students at Bucks is the relatively low tuition fees. Eventually though, these students go on to do great things and thus help build the reputation of Bucks. This reputation will attract a greater number and higher caliber of students to come and study at Bucks, and thus could justify a higher tuition fee.

However, if Bucks is forced to increase their tuition fees before they are able to properly raise their reputation the increased tuition fee is not likely to be justified in the minds of the potential students.

Thus, we will see a decrease in enrollment. This is what I believe happened two years ago in certain courses. With a price tag of £16,000 the courses at this university will have a lot to justify.

Deputy Student Editor Harmeet Singh Anand

The importance of not doing things for your CV Learning happens in many different forms. There is traditional learning that we all do through reading books and attending lectures, and there is the more non-traditional form of learning that we do through work experience and getting involved with societies. In my second year of university, I was encouraged by Lars Mosesson, a lecturer here at Bucks to enjoy the learning experience. For the last year I’ve held this principle very close to my heart, I always try to make sure that whatever I am doing, I am doing because I enjoy it.

But outside of Lars, and a handful of other people, it’s my opinion that at Bucks emphasis is put on building your CV rather than on the actual learning experience. Time after time I feel as though I’m encouraged not to do something because its fun or because it’s a great learning experience, but because its good for my CV. I feel like I’m told I should get work experience because its good for my CV; I should get involved with societies because its good for my CV; I should get grades because its good for my CV. I appreciate that there needs to be some emphasis put on building your CV. It would be impractical for me to suggest that we should completely ignore CV’s altogether. However, I feel as though a CV should be something that complements the learning experience, and not the main motivation for doing something.

I understand that through building their CVs the students may learn things along the way. However, I believe that by emphasizing the learning process, and the fun that comes with learning, the students will learn and develop much more efficiently and moreover will be happier people overall.

We want to hear your opinion: is the learning experience deemphasized at Bucks?

Email us at student.editor@thebucksstudent.com

Deputy Student Editor Harmeet Singh Anand

October 2013 The Bucks Student 5

New media collaborations venture An exciting new collaboration venture for Bucks is starting it’s trial period over the next couple of months. If successful we could be the first university in the country to have an in house student run organisation; an organisation in which we can all bring our skills together and create our own student led projects within the university.

As part of our time here at Bucks, it is exciting and invaluable to be able to gain experience in industry. I’m sure that I’m not the only one who has found myself in lectures and seminars gazing out of the window, dreaming of getting out there into the world and working in my profession for real. It can however, be difficult to get this kind of experience whilst still trying to fit it around your studies. Putting theory into practice is a great way for us to cement what we are taught here at Bucks. After all, we are all here to learn how to do something. What better way to harness our skills than to use them to tackle some real life working situations, and to put them into practice together as a student body. After all, once we graduate, the team of people we work with will be far more diverse in skill sets than our classmates. We will be expected to collaborate with a variety of different professions in order to reach our goals.

Here at Bucks we have a great variety of courses and skill sets.

Everyone here has something to offer. For example, as stated in the proposal for this endeavour put forward by our Vice President Education and Welfare Jack Badu, different disciplines would be allocated their retrospective roles within the organisation. For example: Business Management, Advertising and Marketing, Events Management and Law students would be given the role of managing the projects, whilst Creative Advertising, Graphic Arts and Fine Art students work together on concepts and pitching of ideas to management and SU staff.

Production would then be involved in any filming, performing, audio and music.

Sports and Dance courses can get involved with any campaign ideas/ projects involving health and fitness, as these will need to be delivered by qualified students.

This month, third year Creative Advertising and Audio Production students have been collaborating to produce some radio adverts for our portfolios. It is really interesting to be able to learn from one another and work with people from other creative disciplines. For this project we were put into teams in class, but then also enlisted help from Performing Arts students through the Bucks Media Collaborations Facebook group. The professional quality of work we have all been able to achieve through these collaborations has been astounding and we are reaping the rewards of working together.

This experience of working across courses has made the prospect

Live as if you were to die tomorrow.

Learn as if you were to live forever.

Mahatma Gandhi

of Bucks Students’ Union Welfare Agency seem even more exciting.

The idea that we soon may be able to do this on a much larger scale, and complete work on our own projects as a business is an incredible prospect. This idea has the potential to be a great way to offer the opportunity for us to gain business experience whilst still at university.

Bucks Students‚ Union Welfare Agency aims to establish itself by January 2014. For the first time, it will bring students together in a student run business to create and showcase work.

As I mentioned previously, everyone has a skill to offer so please get in touch with any ideas as to how you and/or your course would like to get involved.

It will take hard work and commitment from all students involved to make this idea a reality. But from what I’ve seen so far, I think we’re up for the challenge.

To view the proposal in full, and fill out a form for a chance to be involved in the trial of Bucks Students‚ Union Welfare Agency please email jack.badu@bucks.ac with a brief description of what you study and what skills you feel you can add to the organisation in no more that 500 words.

by Katherine F Hudson

Good Luck Buck Investigative journalism. Many journalists will explain that, for them, it is the most exciting and thrilling aspect of their jobs. Finding and trailing leads, discovering the tiniest shred of evidence and, from it, developing a story which would otherwise go untold. Well, Lois Lane, eat your heart out, because Tom Badger is in the building.

We’ve all walked past him hundreds, potentially thousands, of times. He sits silently watching us. It’s not that we haven’t noticed him, but instead, we haven’t noticed the twinkle in his eye, that might just be a shred of real-world magic.

He is, of course, Rusty. Our long-time mascot and the face of Bucks Students’ Union. But is this iron statue in the foyer at the High Wycombe campus precisely that, just a statue? This isn’t some Ben Stiller blockbuster where at night, once all seems quiet, he steps down from his perch and wanders around the bar looking for leftover Snakebite. Magic is for kids, and as an adult, I can state that as matterof-fact.

But, as I delve into the mysteries which revolve around this majestic beast, I hit

a snag in my “it’s an inanimate object” theory.

Enter one Mr Stuart Hill. In 2003, a young Mr Hill entered what was, at the time, known as Buckinghamshire Chilterns University College. He had arranged to meet friends and attend a trip to a nearby zoo, he tells me over a coffee and a Krispy Kreme.

“It was the end of the second term. I was a first year Advertising student with some great friends. I had suffered from Tokophobia (fear of childbirth) for many years. I was posing for a photo with Rusty with a friend before we were due to leave for Whipsnade, when we missed our coach due to the amount of time we had spent with the statue.”

“Later that day, I found out that during a live performance in the animal theatre at the Zoo, a Zebra had given birth in front of the entire crowd. I felt so lucky to have missed the occasion.”

This was the first instance of Rusty being deemed a ‘good luck charm’, but it was not the only one, it would seem.

In 2007 our fine Rugby team were due to take on Loughborough in a cup final. Loughborough were unbeaten in

3 years, and the team contained players who have since gone on to national and international acclaim. Bucks, on the other hand, had suffered a terrible league season, and this was the final opportunity to come home with some silver-ware.

Rusty’s reputation as a lucky omen had spread, and the team had all each rubbed his nose before getting in their minibus.

They returned as champions, with a 80-3 win.

Surely these are two isolated incidents within decades of his existence? Two strokes of unbelievable luck? But as I dug deeper into the mysteries surrounding our glorious figurehead, more and more evidence points to the contrary.

A student who narrowly avoided a car crash, another who won £40,000 on a scratch card, there is even one instance of a student who confessed his love for his housemate after wishing upon Rusty for luck. They are now married with four children.

So where did he come from? What is the secret to the luck within him?

The answer of Rusty’s origin isn’t that exciting; he was bought at a jumble sale by a 91 year old woman in the

late nineties before being donated to the Union upon her death. But the iron from which he is made, well, this is the interesting part.

Rusty is smelted from iron sourced in the regions of Cornwall, specifically Camelford, a town believed by many to be the site which was once the legendary realm of Camelot. The iron is mined from a quarry just south of the town, where in 1970, three workman claimed to have seen the legendary King Arthur, who told them that Excalibur had be forged using the metal from their quarry, and that in times of need, the United Kingdoms of Britannia need only turn to the earth here for comfort and strength.

Could Rusty be a sign from the legendary King Arthur? Does the magic of Excalibur run within him? Try rubbing his nose before those all-important exams, or that big game that’s coming up. Who knows, maybe you will find your luck in our own magnificent figurehead.

Student Editor Tom Badger

6 The Bucks Student October 2013

University news

Buckinghamshire New University extends partnership with London Wasps Rugby Club Buckinghamshire New University has renewed its community partnership with London Wasps which will see it continue to be the ‘Official University Partner’ of the club.

THE University, which has been an official partner of the club since 2007, will continue to benefit from London Wasps providing coaches to work with the University’s rugby squad and deliver rugby coaching and coach education to sports students.

The agreement will also see members of the London Wasps commercial and community teams deliver guest lectures at the University, as well as the Club providing work experience and internship opportunities for Bucks students in what is a special partnership between a university and an Aviva Premiership rugby club.

Paul Morgan, Head of the Department of Sport Management at Bucks New University, said of the partnership: “We’re delighted to extend our successful relationship with a top flight sports organisation such as London

Wasps. The agreement has given our students direct access to key people at Wasps, and also valuable internships, work experience and job opportunities.

“Several of our former students are now employed directly with London Wasps as well as with numerous other Aviva Premiership rugby clubs and the Rugby Football Union, and also in Europe, Asia and America, both within the community and elite game. A lot of these employment pathways can be traced back to our successful partnership with London Wasps.”

Commenting on the partnership, London Wasps Community Manager, Dave Larham said: “Bucks New University has been a long and trusted partner of London Wasps and we’re delighted to be working with the University again this season.

“There are a number of exciting innovations within our agreement

this year such as special open days involving coach education demonstrations and discussions with our commercial team and we are fully committed to helping them to produce excellent calibre, wellrounded students. This extension to our agreement proves we are already assisting in delivering this and look forward to continuing to do so.”

The partnership will run for the course of the 2013-14 academic year and the Aviva Premiership season and will also include some exciting new digital crosspromotional content and campaigns for both London Wasps fans and Bucks New University students, including increased opportunities for social media engagement.

London Wasps will also be a key player in the Graduate Jobs in Sport event to be held at the University in March 2014.

Need a book that isn’t in the Library?

Use the Student Led Purchasing Scheme New for 2013/14

You choose, we buy !

E-books & print titles Go to my.bucks.ac.uk – Library Organisation – Student Led Purchasing Scheme

October 2013 The Bucks Student 7

Every Body Counts at Buckinghamshire New University Fashion consultant and former director at the legendary Lynne Franks PR, Debra Bourne came to Bucks New University this week to talk to fashion students about diversity awareness in fashion and the media.

Debra worked with The Beatles to design UNaward-winning eco-aware hemp T-shirts, provided PR and brand consultancy for clients including Jean Paul Gaultier, Swatch and Proctor and Gamble and edited fashion magazines.

Debra’s thought provoking talk encouraged students, as the next generation of fashion influencers, to question and challenge the creative process at the heart of fashion to drive progressive change and embed diversity in an industry overwhelmed with unhealthy stereotypes and a current trend for using ever shocking imagery.

Along with fashion commentator and broadcaster Caryn Franklin MBE and model Erin O’ Connor, Debra co-founded the organisation All Walks Beyond the Catwalk (allwalks.org). Debra, Caryn and Erin describe themselves as fashion activists and campaigners for positive body image and diversity. They have recently been nominated in the fashion category of The Hospital Club 100, an annual list of ‘innovators, visionaries and pioneers’ in the media and creative industries.

Debra delivered a talk that was fascinating and thought-provoking and applicable to lots of different areas of the media taught at Bucks New University from fashion to dance to music, video and performance. Joanne Copperwheat who attended the talk with fellow Textile and Surface Design student Becky Millyard said “I really welcome the move away from extremely thin models which as a textile designer is very limiting

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from a creative viewpoint. Becky Millyard was quick to add “Working with more realistic body shapes gives us with much more scope as we experiment with different textile applications and it makes much more sense in terms of taking designs to market which have been developed from the outset for real women.”

Sian-Kate Mooney, Programme Leader – Fashion who organised Debra Bourne’s visit to the University said “It is really interesting that students tend to agree that extreme images do not depict real and healthy lives and that images used by the fashion industry ought to be appropriate and socially responsible”.

See more of the great work being done in this arena by the organisation co-founded by Debra along with fashion commentator and broadcaster Caryn Franklin MBE and model Erin O’Connor.

All Walks Beyond the Catwalk (allwalks.org)

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Grand Designs Thanks to everyone who gave ideas to shape the future design of the High Wycombe Campus at the recent Grand Designs consultation in Beats. The free Krispy Kremes inspired students and staff to make lots of good suggestions. Although it won’t be possible or practical to make all of them a reality other requests are being given serious consideration by the architects and estates team. Here are the things you want more of at Bucks: >> >> >> >> >> >>

Social and social learning space Catering places and improved signage Refurbished and updated old blocks, Quiet study areas and relaxing places Greenery and outdoor seating Sport facilities and performance space

Students’ favourite places on campus are: Beats, Library, The Gateway and the Students’ Union in that order.

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8 The Bucks Student October 2013

Bucks New University shortlisted in Prospects Postgraduate Awards 2013 Buckinghamshire New University has been shortlisted in two categories for a Prospects Postgraduate Award, which recognise and reward excellence and innovation in postgraduate education.

More than 150 students, universities and businesses from across the UK entered the Awards across eight categories. Bucks New University will compete against six other institutions for the title of ‘Best University Campaign’ and is amongst ten institutions shortlisted for the accolade of ‘Best Prospectus’.

The Awards launched for the first time this year and are the only annual event solely dedicated to celebrating best practice and the most exciting developments in UK postgraduate education. They are run by Graduate Prospects, the UK’s leading postgraduate education publisher, which also operates prospects.ac.uk and the official postgraduate course database.

The award winners will be announced at a glittering awards ceremony on 19 November 2013 at the Radisson Blu Edwardian Hotel in Manchester with a gala lunch and networking opportunities.

Anne Whitehouse, Head of Marketing at Bucks New University said: “Interest in our postgraduate programmes has grown significantly this year, with a substantial increase in the numbers of people attending our postgraduate open evenings.

This is testament to the hard work of the Marketing & Student Recruitment team and academic colleagues who have worked

together to produce an impressive range of materials and events dedicated to those interested in postgraduate study. It is heartening to have this work recognised with two award nominations.”

Mike Hill, chief executive of Graduate Prospects said: “It’s fantastic to see such a positive response to our first awards in the postgraduate arena. The standard of entries was high across the board, reflecting the calibre of postgraduate education in the UK. I wish Bucks New University the best of luck.”

The judges include representatives from Universities UK, AGCAS, NUS, UK Council for International Student Affairs, Higher Education Academy, Association of Graduate Recruiters, British Council, Higher Education Data and Information Improvement Programme, Million+, Thirtythree, Higher Education Academy and the UK Council for Graduate Education For more information or tickets for the awards ceremony visit postgraduateawards.co.uk. You can follow The Prospects Postgraduate Awards @postgradawards For information about Bucks New University’s postgraduate programmes, visit bucks.ac.uk/postgraduate

Q.: Do you want the chance to win a

£150 Amazon voucher?

FINALIST:

FINALIST:

Best Prospectus

Best University Campaign

A Brush with Art for Bucks graduates

Hint: Take the Big Library Quiz!

Full details on my.bucks.ac.uk Library Organisation  Answer all the questions correctly

to enter the prize draw  Two prizes of £150 to be won

The work of eight Bucks Fine Art alumni is showcased in a new art exhibition, ‘A Brush with Art’, at Wycombe Museum in Priory Avenue, High Wycombe, running until February.

It features pieces by eight contemporary guest artists who are all graduates of the University.

The diverse range of pieces from the figurative to the abstract include installation

pieces, stained glass and prints. Those showcasing their work are Carolyn Cameron; Alex Dewart; Saliha Elhoussaini; Linda Francis; Jane Hansford; June Kingsbury; Joseph Nuttgens and Marion Piper.

Alison Shreeve, Head of School: Design Craft and Visual Arts, said: “I am delighted that our graduates contribute to enriching the business and cultural life of

our locality.

“This exhibition at the Wycombe Museum is an opportunity to demonstrate the achievements of the Fine Art course and the creative abilities of our students.”

The exhibition includes highlights from the Museum’s own art collection.

Entrance to the museum and exhibition is free. Why not pop along and have a look?

October 2013 The Bucks Student 9

Prof Dexter takes a lead on Learning & Teaching Students will become familiar with Professor Barbara Dexter, the University’s new Director of Learning and Teaching, who has quickly settled into her role at Bucks.

Prof Dexter is taking a lead in progressing the University’s Learning and Teaching Strategy, working alongside Prof Shan Wareing, Pro Vice Chancellor Learning and Teaching.

The Learning and Teaching Strategy is focused on delivering the best teaching and learning experience for the University’s students.

Through her leadership of the Learning & Teaching Directorate, Prof Dexter says she aims to ‘improve student learning and development’, and said she would be doing much work directly with students - both through the curriculum and through extra-curricular activities.

She said: “This work includes career and employability information, advice and guidance; student enterprise; alumni liaison and mentoring schemes; a new temp agency; student academic skills development and support; and training and support on using technologies for learning, so there’s plenty going on.

“We also undertake institutional research to evaluate and share good practice.”

The Learning & Teaching Directorate was created by bringing together the three teams of Careers & Employability, the Learning Development Unit (LDU) and Open 4 Learning. Its goal is to help realise the new Learning & Teaching Strategy 2013-2017, with its focus on employability, enterprise and leadership.

60 seconds with:

Prof Dexter Are you a tea or a coffee drinker?

Definitely tea! I gave up coffee seven years ago when I was part of an Association of Business Schools’ Development Programme for Directors of Teaching & Learning. We had to set ourselves three objectives and most people had things like ‘to be PVC in x years’ or ‘to become a professor’, but one of mine was ‘to keep off coffee for a year’.

Are you a night owl or an early bird?

More of an early bird, but not as early as some.

Who is your hero?

My husband, Paul, who takes great care of me (even at a distance).

What makes you laugh?

People.

Why did you choose Bucks?

The opportunity to bring the new team together was the initial appeal. On visiting Bucks, it was definitely the friendliness of the place that led to my acceptance of the post.

What is your proudest moment of your career so far?

I believe we’re tremendously privileged to be working in Higher Education. I’ve been lucky to have many great moments and have worked with some fantastic people in enjoyable environments. Among the best has to be working with my ‘Leading Manager’ team at the University of Derby, and seeing how our students’ work was having a direct

beneficial impact on the community of Derby.

Each year our team of students was given an organisational problem at 8.30am one day and had to formally present their solutions at 2pm the following day in the Derby Assembly Rooms to an audience comprising the Council Chief Officers, their own managers, previous Leading Managers and university managers. It was tremendous fun but also challenging, and the students’ ideas have usually been put into practice.

What does your role involve?

I am responsible for putting into practice actions and developments arising from the Learning & Teaching Strategy, working across the university with faculties and other central services, on areas such as Continuous Professional Development and curriculum development. I look after three teams supporting our staff and students, including Careers and Employability, Learning Development Unit and Open 4 Learning.

What are some highlights of your to do list?

Meeting lots of staff and finding examples of good practice to share and learn from.

What are you most looking forward to?

Starting to make a real difference to the institution - our staff experience as well as our students’ experience.

Nursing successes in enrolment and employment We have two pieces of good news about Nursing to share with students and staff across the University.

The Faculty of Society & Health has started the academic year with a full complement of students for its Pre-Qualifying Nursing programmes. A total of 224 nursing students have enrolled with us this term and will study for either a three-year BSc Hons or a two-year Postgraduate Diploma course. This enrolment, together with a further intake of nursing students in February, will meet the requirements of ongoing contracts with North West London and

Thames Valley Local Education Training Boards.

After one semester at Uxbridge students will work with one of the University’s NHS partner trusts in North West London or Buckinghamshire for their first work placement.

Nursing courses for the 2013-14 academic year were fully subscribed by March. A further 20% increase in applicants has been experienced this year on top of the 60% increase of 2012-13, which is a fantastic demonstration of our continued success.

West Middlesex University Hospital welcomes Bucks students We wish each one of the 16 newlyqualified nurses recently snapped up by West Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust every success in their new careers. West Mid has recruited our graduate nurses as part of its first recruitment drive for ‘home-grown’ nursing talent.

The 16 are part of a group of 35 students who qualified at West Middlesex in August following

three years of nurse education.

Each year involved six months training at our Uxbridge Campus followed by six months in practice. These placements took place in different clinical areas giving students the opportunity to have their skills assessed in a real life clinical setting closely supervised by mentors.

Carol Pook, Head of Pre-

Qualifying Nursing at Bucks, said: “We are absolutely delighted that such a large group of our nursing graduates have started their careers at West Middlesex Hospital which is one of our key practice partners.

It is very rewarding for everyone who has been involved to see the students graduate and become qualified nursing professionals.”

GOT SOMETHING TO SAY? The Bucks Student needs writers!

Are you passionate about a subject and looking for the opportunity to write about it? We’re after enthusiastic individuals to contribute to the Bucks Student. Whether it’s a one off piece or a regular article, we’d love to have a chat with you - email us with your ideas (and a sample article you’ve written, if you have one). All enquiries should be sent to:

sucommunications@bucks.ac.uk Or if you want to have a look at our previous editions, you can go to bucksstudentsunion.org/thebucksstudent where we keep our archive.

After Hours

Canterbury Gig 10 October 2013 Picture by Jamie Lester

Canterbury interview Miley Cyrus Video review Angry Birds Star Wars review Turbo review

12 The Bucks Student October 2013

interview

After Hours

A round-up of Students’ Union nightlife plus entertainment news and reviews. Submit your articles to afterhours@thebucksstudent.com

The 10 October saw Canterbury’s highly anticipated return to Bucks Students’ Union as part of their UK tour with The LaFontaines and Continental Keys in tow.

Continental Keys is the solo project of Tom Jenkins of Straight Lines, who are currently encountering troubles in terms of the continuation of the band. Sounding similar to Sam Duckworth’s material, it follows an acoustic sound coupled with inventive lyrics and catchy choruses.

Whether this project will become Tom’s full time venture is yet to be seen, however it’s definitely got the songs to stand on it’s own two feet.

The LaFontaines are a rock & rap band, that’s not to say they’re the next Limp Bizkit. And don’t ever let nu-metal come into the equation, as this is a totally different beast. Hailing from Motherwell in Scotland, they have begun to encounter a degree of success in their home country; however this is yet to translate further down the land of these fine isles. But once they have been witnessed live, there’s no doubt you will become a fan. Supporting a diverse range of bands in the past including N Dubz, Example, Flobots and Pendulum has helped them become a tight, competent and engaging live act where the audience is as much a part as anything else. With catchy chorus’s and well written rap sections, songs like ‘Light Up The Background’ and ‘Wrapped In Fashion’ excite the audience despite early sound issues, leaving their mark on tonight’s audience.

Hailing from the south of this fine country, Canterbury have been on the scene for a number of years, recently escaping the studio after recording their as yet untitled third album after having signed to Hassle Records. Having played High Wycombe a number of times in the past, tonight brings a certain expectation and excitement with it, and by the time Canterbury are due to take to the stage the venue is filling nicely. Live, the Canterbury show is one that is as tight as any large band you wish to see, with melodies to match. Mike and Luke’s vocals are superb both on their own, however it’s when the duo share harmonies that the band’s magic come to life. Opening with Calm Down, it becomes obvious how much this band has grown over the years, with new drummer Chris, formerly of All Forgotten, adding a new dynamic to the group and proving to be a very competent drummer.

Dedicating the mid section of the set to a trio of new songs, it’s fair to say this album could provide the next rung on the ladder of success, in an unfair industry to the most hardworking of bands. With the album expected to drop early next year, it’s an exciting time to be a Canterbury fan.

Thanks to Luke and Mike for taking the time to speak to me before their gig at Bucks Students’

Union. >> How’s tour been so far?

Tour has been great so far, giving us the chance to visit places we haven’t visited in a long time. We used to play High Wycombe a lot in the early days, including the loft at the now defunct Nag’s Head which was particularly memorable for the creaky floorboards. We have also played the Irish Club in the past, and this very venue with Lights & Sounds. >> Why Hassle Records, and why now?

We released the first album off our own backs for free, and released the second album on our own label, Sweet Lime Records, so signing to a big indie such as Hassle at this stage seemed like the best shot at reaching the next level in our careers. It gives us a power and access to resources that were not available in the past and with a rich history of great bands seemed like the right decision. >> Why also use the Pledge format with this album?

We have always been about the fans, and Pledge gives our fans the ability to get involved in the album process without a block in terms of hiding away in the studio for a long period of time. The fans are the reason we are able to make another album, and the ability to keep them updated and invested in the album seems the most proactive way of making the record. There’s still three months to release, and people are already excited about it so something must be

“We have always been about the fans” working. >> Was the Satellite EP part of the album sessions?

The songs from the Satellite EP were most definitely part of the album sessions, deriving from demos that were also recorded from the album. It acted as a midway point for those who had invested in the Pledge model in an exclusive manner, to give them material before everyone else. >> Where was the album recorded?

The album was recorded at Middle Farm Studios with Peter Miles (The King Blues, We Are the Ocean) for the third time.

It was a great studio, essentially a converted barn with a heap load of character. Really, it felt like a lads holiday with no distractions, knowing the reason you were there in a back

to basics approach. >> How was the recording process?

In terms of the writing process it was a long one, with the strange feeling of being pushed by the label and having an outsider’s point of view, however this proved constructive as we weren’t getting hung up on the smallest guitar part, as people from the label would be able to advise us. We all write songs individually and then collaborate together which is when the songs get injected with that Canterbury sound.

It’s also strange in a sense, as you have your whole life to record the first album, a year to record the second and on this one we had six months, which is obviously a different way of writing and recording.

In terms of the sound on this record, it’s got much more of a honed sound which was always going to happen over time due to the fact we’ve grown up and encountered a natural progression. We haven’t ever felt pigeonholed into a specific sound, so long as the record represents a moment in time and sounds like Canterbury that’s all we can do. >> What has Chris brought to the recording/live environments?

Chris is a great drummer, and we used to tour together a lot in the past when he played with All Forgotten. As soon as Scott sadly left, it became an obvious fit and put us in an exciting opportunity. He’s a very competent drummer and has given his own stamp on both the old songs and the one’s we were writing at the time. He’s exactly what we need him to be, and it’s a very exciting time in the Canterbury camp.

“The LaFontaines are just mayhem”

>> Finally, any music recommendations?

The LaFontaines and Continental Keys, who conveniently we have brought on tour with us. Continental Keys is the solo project of Tom Jenkins from Straight Lines, who is a songwriter in the classic sense in that he has a large bank of songs, but at the moment Straight Lines are in a bit of limbo in terms of real life so he’s touring as Continental Keys for the time being. The LaFontaines are just mayhem, a mash up of many different styles that result in this rap/rock sound which shouldn’t be confused for nu-metal. They have a modern and fresh sound, with the power to be huge.

by Dan Earl

October 2013 The Bucks Student 13

14 The Bucks Student October 2013

track of the fortnight

Lorde - Royals It’s number one on the hot 100 in the States, hit number one in Lorde’s native New Zealand months ago, but you’ve probably never heard of this track.

16 year old New Zealander Ella Maria Lani Yelich-O’Connor has penned a contemporary minimalist pop-art track which is perfect backing music to that essay writing which you will have no doubt already found yourself in.

Telling the story of the songwriter’s distaste in celebrity culture and lavish lifestyles, it is, lyrically, a very solid and “deep” piece of music. If you like the new-found hipster in yourself, you’ll love this. And check out the video – does she remind anyone else of Bjork?

music video review

Miley Cyrus - We Can’t Stop music video review Miley Cyrus’ video for ‘We can’t stop’ now has 243 million views, music aside I aim to outline the poetic undertones found in the video masterpiece. ‘We can’t stop’ is a very deep metaphor for why it is important to gain a proper education and become successful in life, as demonstrated by the expressive twerking.

For those who do not know, Twerking is a formal dance in which a person raises and lowers their bee-hind in rhythm. Miley has refined her twerking technique for the last 4 years with strict training. This is how she is able to twerk with such elegance and modesty within the video.

There are many complex and intricate details, however we do not have enough space in this paper to cover them all. One of the moments most rooted in meaning is the kiss scene. In this section Miley is seen ‘french kissing’ a doll while in a swimming pool, this is hidden message to protect the defenceless. The water clearly represents the vast and open world, Cyrus is the attacker and the doll a victim. For the sake of including others opinions; Max from Sheffield says that this scene is simply Miley being a “R****** a** h**”, but he is unmistakably incorrect.

Cyrus spends approximately 40% of the video writhing around on the floor, similar to an angry caterpillar, which is a magnificent representation of her father’s disappointment.

And of course no Miley Cyrus video would be complete without her trademark ‘Giraffe tongue’ action, this time it was to her left. Art.

video of the fortnight With the upcoming Autumn internationals, we thought an England Rugby based video might be appropriate. What might be less appropriate, is that this one is a slow motion epic piece of drama, which tells the story of a naked streaker, who runs onto the pitch at Twickenham during this summer’s game versus the Barabrians.

He dips and darts, sidesteps and zig-zags hisway past a total of 8 (by our count)

stewards, running more than halfway across the pitch before swan diving below the posts to score (what in his own head is) the match-winning try with his invisible ball.

Give that man a shirt!

Preferably a white one with a red rose on the breast. With skills like those, he could outrun even Bryan Habana on a good day!

Check out the video here: youtube.com/ watch?v=4P02uUJ2UAQ

by Ollie Talks

Presents

Halloween!

The Venue 8pm ‘til Late - Wednesday 30 October • Dancers

• Angle grinders

• Fire Breathers

• Best dressed!

Horror Competition – submit your best scary video on Instagram to @BucksStudentsUnion For your chance to win the ‘Horror Pack’ including DVDs, CDs and much more.

HALLOWEEN

October 2013 The Bucks Student 15

game review

BLUE It’s one of the classics for those born in the nineties. Pixelated graphics and animatronic beeps which made a medley of tunes to be revered by all those who played.

Pokemon on the Gameboy colour was a real treat for eight year old me. It took the world by storm when it was released in 1996 by Nintendo, and a trading card game and cartoon followed to cash in on the franchise’s success.

The argument continues to this day over which was better, Blue or Red. For the purposes of this review, we will refer a lot to Pokemon Blue. *PUBLIC OUTRAGE*. But this was the version I had, and so this is the version which, for me, defined computer games in my childhood.

“So you want Bulbasaur, the leaf Pokemon?”

Yes please. Charizard was who all the kids raved about, but his dragon-like appearance seemed

too obvious, and Squirtle? Well he was for girls obviously- just look at that cute wide-eyed face!

From there on in, the game captured our imaginations by the millions. But the real beauty in this masterpiece (and that’s exactly what it is, a masterpiece. Anyone who disagrees – bite me), was not the awful graphics and repetitive gameplay. It was not the fact that you could nickname your Pokemon with beautiful irony, (I recall my Zubat, Wendy), it wasn’t even the fact that you could take it anywhere easily and it could dull the boring void in mundane activities like shopping.

It was the little things that made this game one of the greatest of all time. The little things like the fact that you could go super-fast when going downhill on the cycle path. And that you could always trust on a Pokemon to use cut when you needed to get past an especially odd-shaped tree.

Angry Birds Star Wars II is set in George Lucas’ famous Star Wars universe.

However this time it takes the player through the story set out in the prequel trilogy. Star Wars II shares many similarities with its predecessors; the core gameplay is essentially the same as the first Angry Birds, and the mechanics in the game borrows heavily from Angry Birds Space. However, it is the subtle changes made in Angry Birds Star Wars

II which makes it the best Angry Birds games to date.

For one thing, the level select map is much more interactive, and is clearly influenced by the level select maps in most Mario platformers. The achievement system is much more fleshed out and adds heavily to the game’s replay value. While these features are great, without a doubt the greatest addition to the game is the new vast cavalcade of characters which

It wasn’t perfect though. I remember throwing my only masterball at Mew, and it broke free.

IT’S A MASTERBALL, what the eff is down with that!?

This was, the very first computer game that I completed fully, and I remember that level of self-satisfaction that Churchill must have felt when he finally won the war. I even remember where I was and what I was doing at the time.

Ahh, those were the days. When there were only 151 of those cheeky little Pocket monsters.

It’s about time I said: “Pokemon, thank you for everything you did in raising me as a young boy.”

Student Editor Tom Badger

are available to play. The characters are fun parodies of favorite star wars characters, each with their own unique and fun powers to enhance the gaming experience by ten folds.

The one negative aspect of the game is the overwhelming amount of in app purchases. The in app purchases slightly cheapens the overall experience; it feels more as though Rovio is withholding some key features for money rather

than offering bonus features for a small fee. Luckily, this is diminished by the fact that most of the purchases can also be unlocked through achievements and collecting in game currency.

Deputy Student Editor Harmeet Singh Anand

SIXES

, WHAT S ON AT BUCKS Monday 28

Tuesday 29

Wednesday 30

BLACK HISTORY MONTH DISCUSSION FOLLOWED BY MUSIC SOC. PERFORMANCE WITH RU1FAM & FOOD FROM KOOL RUNNINGS

HALLOWEE

Horror Competition – submit your best scary vi to @BucksStudentsUnion for your chance to Pack’ including DVDs, CDs and much more!

PLUS DJ SET FROM

8PM - LATE

All night: Large glass of house wine (175ml) - £2.70 | Corky’s £1 a shot / Double up on any spirit £1

8PM - 2AM

All night: 4 pint pitcher of Carlsberg / Amstel / Gaymers / Snakebite & Black - £8 | Bottle of Barefoot wine - £7 | Corky’s £1 a shot / Double up on any spirit £1

Saturday 2

Until midnight: Snakebite & Black - £1.80 | 1 house wine - £2.50 All night: Corky’s £1 a sho any spirit £1 | Pint of draft soft drink £1

Sunday 3

Mond

MOVIE

FROM 12PM

10PM - 3AM Until midnight: Coors Light draft / Gaymers draft / Red Stripe can - £2 | Doombar Draft £2.50 | Crabbies / Jeremiah Weed - £3 | Rebellion bottle £3.50 All night: Corky’s £1 a shot / Double up on any spirit £1

Thursday 7

FOR

BRING YOUR OWN FOOD (NOT DRINK) EVERTON v TOTTENHAM

FREE PO

All night: 4 pint pitcher of Carlsberg / Amstel / Gaymers / Snakebite & Black - £8 | Bottle of Barefoot wine - £7 | Corky’s £1 a shot / Double up on any spirit £1

All night: Large glass of house wi a shot / Double up on any spirit £1

Friday 8

WITH DJ RYAN ARNOLD

SABBOTAGE DOORS AT 8PM All night: Gaymers Original and Pear draft / Tuborg draft / Vodka & Relentless / Range of ‘Bombs’ - all £2 | Doombar draft / Large glass of house wine (175ml) - £2.50 | Corky’s £1 a shot / Double up on any spirit - £1

#DEFININ

SABB TAKEOVER!

OPEN ‘TIL 3AM Until midnight: Carlsberg / Amstel draft / VK / Vodka & Relentless / Vodka & lemonade - all £2 | Kopperberg Pear bottle - £3 All night: Firebombs - £2 | Screwfacedbomb - £2.50 | Large glass of house wine (175ml) - £2.50 | Corky’s £1 a shot / Double up on any spirit £1 | Turbo Shandy - £2.20 | Fireball Cocktails - £3.50

D

Until midnight: Carlsb Red Stripe can - all £2 a shot / Double up on

S

28 OCTOBER

0

10 NOVEMBER

Thursday 31

Friday 1

PRESENTS WITH DJ RYAN ARNOLD

EN

ideo on Instagram win the ‘Horror

175ml glass of ot / double up on

FOLLOWED BY CRASH AFTERSHOW 8PM - 2AM All night: Gaymers Original and Pear draft / Tuborg draft / Vodka & Relentless / Range of ‘Bombs’ - all £2 | Doombar draft / Large glass of house wine (175ml) - £2.50 | Corky’s £1 a shot / Double up on any spirit - £1

day 4

& DJ Short-T in Room 2: Urban, Old School R’n’B

MOVEMBER LAUNCH HEADPHONE DISCO OPEN ‘TIL 3AM Until midnight: Carlsberg / Amstel draft / VK / Vodka & Relentless / Vodka & lemonade - all £2 | Kopperberg Pear bottle - £3 All night: Firebombs - £2 | Large glass of house wine (175ml) - £2.50 | Corky’s £1 a shot / Double up on any spirit £1 | Turbo Shandy - £2.20 | Fireball Cocktails - £3.50

Tuesday 5

Wednesday 6

NIGHT

VENDETTA

FROM 8PM THE VENUE

FROM 12.30PM THE LOUNGE

OPCORN

ine (175ml) - £2.70 | Corky’s £1 1

Saturday 9

NGMUSICWITHSTYLE

DOORS AT 9PM

berg / Amstel draft / WKD / Vodka & Relentless / All night: Range of ‘Bombs’ - £2 | Corky’s £1 any spirit £1

All night: 4 pint pitcher of Carlsberg / Amstel / Gaymers / Snakebite & Black - £8 | Bottle of Barefoot wine - £7 | Corky’s £1 a shot / Double up on any spirit £1

Sunday 10

RUGBY TAKEOVER Until midnight: Snakebite & Black - £1.80 | 175ml glass of house wine - £2.50 All night: Corky’s £1 a shot / double up on any spirit £1 | Pint of draft soft drink £1

KEEP IN TOUCH Bucks Students’ Union

FROM 11.30AM BRING YOUR OWN FOOD (NOT DRINK) TOTTENHAM v NEWCASTLE SUNDERLAND v MAN CITY MAN UTD v ARSENAL All night: 4 pint pitcher of Carlsberg / Amstel / Gaymers / Snakebite & Black - £8 | Bottle of Barefoot wine - £7 | Corky’s £1 a shot / Double up on any spirit £1

@BucksSU Bucks Students’ Union

All acts confirmed at the time of going to print. Line up subject to change. Please check bucksstudentsunion.org/events for the most up-to-date information.

NIGHTS AT THE VENU

TO SEE MORE, VISIT OUR OFFICIAL FACEBOOK PAGE - SE

UE | 13-27 OCTOBER

EARCH FOR BUCKS STUDENTS’ UNION AND GET TAGGING

UPCOMING LIVE MUSIC OCTOBER Tue 29

SUCK MY ACOUSTIC: EBONY DAY

Thurs 31

KNOTSLIP: HALLOWEEN PARTY

state of play

Indie Games: Here as long as you make them Indie games – you love them, you hate them, or you don’t know your SCP from your Slender.

In recent years, indie games have seen a huge resurgence in popularity, and every time it seems to have peaked, the ceiling keeps getting higher with the release of a new free game and excessive mod. Demiurge Studios CEO Albert Reed said the same thing to GamesIndustry International regarding a “permanent renaissance” for indie games. He noted that they would continue to remain an “essential part” of the business.

NOVEMBER Thurs 7

BIG SIXES + AS ELEPHANTS ARE + COASTAL CITIES

Tue 12

SUCK MY ACOUSTIC: ROBERT BEARSBY

Thurs 14

ELIZA & THE BEAR + GUESTS (RE-ARRANGED DATE)

Sat 16

BIG DEAL + SISTERS + GUESTS

Tue 19

TURIN BRAKES + KEVIN PEARCE

Indie game ‘The Stanley Parable’ reached number 1 on Steams current top selling games list within a day of release.

The independent game market is currently thriving. A variety of different Indie artists have provided us with so much content this year alone. To name just a few examples: Falskaar, a popular indie game developer, this year gave us an extra few hundred hours in Skyrim. Furthermore, Frictional Games (the makers of Amnesia) recently announced Soman, which looks set to give us a similar but fresh horror from them, and all around, apps are still selling like crazy.

Easilly one of the scariest games ever made, ‘Amnesia’ asks you to play in a poorly lit room.

Tue 26

SUCK MY ACOUSTIC: JOSH TAERK

Thurs 28

BROTHER & BONES + EMPTY WHITE CIRCLES

Sat 30

MOVEMBER FINALE

DECEMBER Thurs 5

ROUGE: EP LAUNCH

Tue 10

SUCK MY ACOUSTIC: JAKE MORLEY

Gone are the days of Karoshi and Polychromatic Funk Monkey being indie highlights. Publishing has gone through an industrial revolution, with small publishers, trade organisations, and big companies like Google and Apple participating in some form or another.

As long as consumers, academics, and geeks have access to these platforms, indie isn’t going away soon, and there is a plethora of these games; half-finished, on sale, or available for absolutely free right now.

Moreover, there’s never been a better time to get involved with independent gaming than right now.

I encourage everyone to have a crack at Unity, a streamlined 3D game development program, that can output to various platforms including: Xbox 360, Playstation 3, Android, iOS, and the PC. GameMaker: Studio is also on Steam for some basic, 2D action anyone can throw together. Stealth Bastard Deluxe was made with it, so it does complexity as well.

Anyone can do it with persistence, and there’s never been a better time to get into games. All you need is a decent computer, spare time, the ability to wade through forums, and enthusiasm. And it’s all free.

Sat 14

SKINDRED (£15 ADV. BOOKINGS FOR NON-BUCKS STUDENTS)

Bedroom programmers ‘Introversion Software’ made their first game ‘Uplink’ with 3 people.

Here’s a quick link to the full article, with download links and videos for each engine – if you have an idea, no matter what you’re studying, go and make it, or at least try! http://bit.ly/1enckkb

by Matt Jaques

October 2013 The Bucks Student 21

book review

The story begins like this “My name was Salmon, like the fish, first name Susie, I was 14 when I was murdered on December 6, 1973... It was still back when people believed things like that didn’t happen.” The book is The Lovely Bones written by Alice Sebold and published in 2002. The story takes place in the 1970’s in a small town in Pennsylvania and is narrated by a fourteen year old girl, Susie Salmon, before and after her death. Susie is a regular all American girl until her routine The Lovely Bones Alice Sebold Published by Little, Brown and Company

walk home from school one December night is interrupted by a local man in her neighbourhood whom she believes is trustworthy.

She then falls victim to a brutal rape and murder and is quickly taken to heaven. In heaven, Susie is able to watch over her family and friends as they struggle to cope with her tragic death. She is also able to watch over her murderer and how he is able to evade justice.

Sebold’s imagery throughout the book should be reason enough to make The Lovely Bones your next read. The detailed and vivid descriptions of Susie’s own heaven create a calming and comforting effect which is contrasted by the dark and suspenseful lives the rest of her family are living. The plot is

movie review

Turbo Released: 17/10/2013 Running time: 96min

We all have a dream. For some it’s the dream of a family, money, or fame.

For young Theo the snail it’s to be a racer.

The only problem is, unlike the speed of a cheetah or the acceleration of a hare, Theo is a simple garden snail. It’s a lost cause, until one day a freak accident re-writes his DNA, so that he can now travel at speeds even The Stig could never muster.

Ok, so a few things. Firstly, It’s a kids film,

but we all love kids films right? Remember the good old days of eating spaghetti hoops and smiley faces, watching animated films on massive CRT excuses for teles? Kids films are sometimes some of the best for all ages, and Turbo is no exception, with many jokes written in for the parents, just like a panto!

And you cannot begin to understand the incredible sensation of watching a snail talk in Samuel L Jackson’s voice. Especially as I didn’t read into the film beforehand and it came as a surprise that he’s even starring.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s no Toy Story (best animated film ever by the way), but its certainly up there with the likes of Shrek (original movie, not the money spinning sequels), and Kung Fu Panda.

beautifully executed, telling a horrifying story in a way that is not overwrought or self-indulgent. The depth of the character development brings the book alive; with such real characters it is hard not to create bonds with Susie and her family.

Sebold is able to take an immensely dark subject and show the reader two completely opposite sides of the emotional spectrum.

You will laugh and you will cry from this book. If you are looking for your next emotional rollercoaster in a book, The Lovely Bones is a must read.

by Sophia Eftimiades

FRIDAY 1 NOVEMBER | 8PM - 3AM | FREE ENTRY FOR BUCKS STUDENTS | GUESTS £5

MOVEMBER LAUNCH PARTY WITH HEADPHONE DISCO

SABB SABBOTAGE

TAKE OVER

• RUSTY’S B’DAY! • SABB AUCTION • BALLOON DROP • SWEEPSTAKE

MAIN ROOM:

ROOM 2:

SPECIAL GUEST DJ

FRIDAY 8 NOVEMBER | 8PM - 3AM | FREE ENTRY FOR BUCKS STUDENTS | GUESTS £5

Activities Week

SUPPLEMENT

24 The Bucks Student October 2013

Activities Week 18-22 November Now all students are paying higher fees than previously and with the increased competition for jobs currently, Bucks New University in collaboration with Bucks Students’ Union has made the decision to offer you an ambitious programme of activities twice a year to not only add value to your course but also to support you in terms of both employability and enterprise.

The first Activities Week which will run from 18-22 November will see an enormous range of activities on offer on a scale never previously offered to students, so are you ready? The week will be packed with a wide range of activities so no matter what year you are in there will be something for you.

From sessions to support you in planning for your future, applying for jobs and practicing those interview skills this is too good an opportunity to miss. Guest lecturers, industry panels, alumni talks and even the opportunity to try some classes on courses you may not have even known we had, plus a wide range of sports taster sessions and a social programme in the evenings - its guaranteed to be a unforgettable week!

A few of the highlights of the week have been outlined opposite, but there is so much more. Visit bucksstudentsunion.org/events for a full list of activities on offer and for details of how to sign up. Most sessions you will need to book a place in advance so make sure you book early through the Students’ Union website to avoid disappointment.

Dr Stephen Billingham

During Activities Week, there will be a help desk next to the main reception inside the Gateway, one in the Students’ Union reception and another outside the Rose Garden. Help desks will be staffed by highly visible Activities Week helpers who will be able to help you find your session and point you in the right direction.

Enterprise Festival 2013...

Winning isn’t everything!

The Enterprise Festival at Bucks this year runs throughout November and is a great way for students to find out how to become more innovative, creative and enterprising.

Taking part in the Festival’s competitions are positive ways to gain experience of collaboration, pitching and generating new ideas essential skills for your future. There are three competitions you can take part in.

The Enterprise Challenge is for you or a team to submit

Dr Stephen Billingham is currently Executive Chairman of Punch Taverns plc, the UK’s second largest pub group in January 2013. From 2004 to 2009 Stephen was Finance Director for the British Energy Group plc, playing an instrumental role in delivering the turnaround and strong performance of the business, its relisting in 2005, its move up to the FTSE 100 and the sale to EDF in 2009 for £12.5bn. Prior to this, Stephen was Group Finance Director of WS Atkins plc. during its successful financial recovery and was also Group Treasurer

ACTIVITIES Week programmes will be available from early November at either Students’ Union reception or from one of the friendly helpers.

The Activities Week helpers will be on hand before and during the week to answer any of your questions, and help you get the most out of the week.

a business, product, service, project or social enterprise idea.

With mentoring support along the way you will get help to make your idea as good as it can be. The finalists go head to head on 28 November with the winners announced at the awards evening that day.

The Charity Challenge requires creative ways to turn £10 into as much money as you can. A real fun competition to focus your mind during Activity Week. The Library Challenge is looking for creatives and film

makers to come up with a short film to promote the Uxbridge Library. The entry forms for all the competitions can be found at EntepriseBucks.co.uk or ask Vee Melvin at the Student Centre for a copy as soon as possible.

Remember everyone who enters a competition will get priority access to tickets for the fun awards evening on 28 November with free drinks reception, buffet and entertainment.

of BICC plc. (now Balfour Beatty plc.) and Severn Trent plc.

Stephen is also currently Chairman of the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust and a Government appointed Non-Executive Director and Chairman of the Audit Committee of URENCO. The opportunity to hear from someone working at this level of industry is rare, with extensive experience of operating at the highest levels; anyone interested in working within a business environment should book a place on this session.

Don’t forget to visit bucksstudentsunion.org/events to book your session.

October 2013 The Bucks Student 25

Apprentice Final Five Candidate 2013 Neil Clough Neil Clough is most known for winning the hearts of the nation and the respect of Britain’s business titans during the most recent series of the BBC’s The Apprentice.

Despite being an exceptional candidate, leading teams to victory and breaking one of the shows sales records, he disappointed Lord Sugar as his commitment to his flawed business plan saw him fall at the last hurdle, In Lord Sugar’s words ‘if it was a job I’d give it you tomorrow’.

Neil possesses many of the qualities we would aspire to but what perhaps makes him most unique is his ability to show courage, commitment and self belief after overcoming adversity.

Neil Clough talks about making the final five, smashing sales targets and finding a silver lining in even the most difficult and demanding situations. The right man who had the wrong plan for Lord Sugar will help you remember the route to success, motivate you to start your journey and leave you with a source of inspiration for the challenges you will face on the way.

You will be reminded that with commitment must come clarity and in Neil Clough you will find motivation to go on and reach your full potential.

Shaun Swanepoel, Account Manager at Thomas International When you graduate and head off for those first interviews you are very likely to encounter assessments from Thomas International or other providers. Attending this session will give you insight into the purpose of assessment tests and how you can use their results to improve your chances of future success.

Shaun has been with Thomas International since September 2010. He has brought considerable knowledge and expertise to the role, working with clients to help them understand not only the products and services of Thomas but also

importantly adding value to the client’s staff and management teams.

Thomas International has been a global provider of objective management systems and assessment tools for over 30 years.

Thomas enables people to understand, realize and develop their full potential by giving them the tools to raise selfawareness, self-esteem and self-confidence.

Thomas assessments and tests analyse people’s behavioural style at work, identify their strengths and limitations and help measure their mental agility.

Thomas carries out over one million

assessments every year. With a presence in over 60 countries, their behavioural assessments are available in 56 different languages.

Specialties:Behavioural assessment, Emotional Intelligence, 360 degree feedback, recruitment, retention, performance management and hard skills testing.

Pat Lakovic - Chair of Board of Trustees said “Shaun provided excellent support and expertise to a small group of trustees, who apart from me, had no knowledge and experience of psychometric testing.

They were impressed with the way he explained the technical details and with the information he provided about the candidates we had selected for interview.

All his deductions proved to be accurate.

This experience bodes well for using Thomas International in the future” With these kinds of tests common place in interviews and assessment centres today, booking a seat on this session will give you an insight into better understanding this aspect of the interview process.

Ethical issues in tourism Guest speaker: Mark Watson Executive Director – Tourism Concern Mark is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and a Chartered Manager with an MSc in sustainability and a first degree in Geography and International Development. He was the Campaigns Director of the human rights charity Stonewall and the Executive Director of One Planet Products before founding the charity UK Foundation for AIDS Research in 2009.

In 1986 he spent three months in Dhaka, Bangladesh studying the effects of poverty on social exclusion; then in 1991 he led a six month expedition to the Amazon to consider the social and environmental consequences of rainforest destruction. Before going to university, he spent one year working voluntarily in the township of Alexandria in South Africa and in 2003 he climbed Kilimanjaro to raise money for HIV / AIDS projects in Africa.

Set up in 1989, Tourism Concern is a unique, independent charity dedicated to campaigning for ethical and fairly traded tourism. The charity is

funded by individual supporters and works to improve worker conditions in the tourism industry; lobbies tour operators to improve their operations; develops best practice guidelines and gives a voice to communities threatened by tourism development.

So why should you attend this session? Tourism is an exciting and dynamic industry that can play a fundamental role in economic and social development.

At the same time, travelling can provide us with extremely fun, rewarding and enlightening experiences of people and places around the world. But it is also very important to have an awareness of a range of ethical issues related to tourism, as the traveller’s input to a destination can be a positive one or it could – in some cases – impose a threat to human rights in the local communities that we visit. Attend this session to learn how you can enjoy your travels ethically and responsibly by exploring different destinations, trades and examples of responsible practices in tourism.

Don’t forget to visit bucksstudentsunion.org/events to book your session.

26 The Bucks Student October 2013

Will Murray

Creator of Packtypes® and Managing Director of Friendly Publishing Limited

Many students at Bucks have already been through the simple and fun Packtypes emotional intelligence process. Come along and hear Will Murray introduce Packtypes, how it came about and what it can do for you and your future.

Packtypes® is a quick and easy way to better understand yourself. Simply choose 12 cards from 64 in the pack and you will be amazed at the results and how much better you will understand yourself. Knowing yourself is an essential step for bettering yourself and also how to sell yourself when faced with future career and business opportunities.

A leading programme in social fitness, Packtypes® is at the forefront of the personal development revolution with its playful and accessible approach to liberating talent and transforming team performance and redefining the future of the soft skills training industry in the process.

Packtypes® is used by 1000’s of individuals in schools, universities, the police, the NHS, prisons, local authorities, Government agencies, retailers and forward thinking businesses.

About Will Murray >> Studied Social Science at Leicester University >> Retail Buyer for House of Fraser, the Burton Group and Dixons >> Head of Corporate Marketing at BT >> Director of Marketing at Ernst and Young >> Created and authored Packtypes in 2007 Book your seat for this session and you will be amazed how much you will learn in just a couple of hours.

The new way to work out!

Sport for Fun are offering you a new way to work out with weekly cardio tennis sessions.

Cardio tennis is a high energy fitness activity that combines the best features of tennis with cardiovascular exercise, resulting in a fantastic full body workout.

It’s a social, fun class for players of all abilities and is run by professional tennis coach Tom Scott.

If you’ve never played tennis before it’s a great way to be introduced to the sport, but equally, if you’re an experienced player it’s the best way to train.

Third year Psychology and Criminology student Jess Faulkner has been attending the sessions regularly. “I like going because I enjoy tennis, but you don’t have to be particularly good at it. It’s not competitive so it’s a good way to enjoy the sport. It’s great for fitness and I enjoy the separate drills and the way they incorporate tennis skills and fun exercises.”

Lizzi Fabisz is our tennis ambassador and welcomes everyone to the sessions. “It’s a great way to meet new people whilst working out and you can pick up a few tennis tips along the way!”

The sessions take place in the Events Hall on a

Friday afternoon between 3pm and 4pm. To sign up or to find out more, email sport@bucks.ac.uk There will be a cardio tennis session taking place during Activities Week on the 22 November between 3pm and 4pm in the Events Hall. For those of you that normally have lectures at this time, Activities Week will be the perfect opportunity for you to get involved and give cardio tennis a go!

Throughout Activities Week, Sport for Fun will also be putting on a range of other activities.

We have been working in partnership with England Golf, who will be coming to the Dome on Thursday 21st November between 13.00 and 14.00 with a golf net so you can practice your shots. On the same day, the BNU Rowing Society will also be present between 10.30am and 11.30am and would love students to try out rowing and get involved in their society. On Monday 18 at 1.30pm, England Hockey will also be on site with their beat the goalie game.

Everyone is welcome to come and try out the various activities; you don’t have to have played before. Make sure you get involved and don’t miss out on these fantastic opportunities!

bucksstudentsunion.org/events

ACTIVITIES WEEK

MON 18 - FRI 22 NOV VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES

RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES

Monday

Monday

Chiltern Rangers: 1-3.30pm*

Safeguarding a Child Protection Course: (full day)

Clearing up local woodland and learning about local wildlife.

Wycombe Environment Centre: 1-3.30pm*

A great certified course if you are looking to work with children in the future as it shows you have taken an interest in child protection and that you have thought about the possible qualifications needed to be able to work with children.

Working in the garden at a centre based around sustainability.

Tuesday

Tuesday

Crafternoon: 2.30-5pm

Come along to Students’ Union Foyer to learn how to make crafts out of old newspapers.

Wednesday RAG Fundraising 10-4pm

Collecting for our three RAG charities, Pepper Foundation, Great Ormand Street and Macmillan Cancer Support.

Thursday 21 November Jobs Careers and Volunteers Fair: 10am-4pm

Come to the Events Hall and see what part time jobs and volunteering opportunities are coming up!

Crafternoon: 2.30-5pm

Learn how to make crafts with Fairtrade materials.

Elderly Christmas Shopping: 5-7pm*

Help residents at a local home with their Christmas shopping.

Friday 22 November One Can Trust: 2-4pm*

Help pack food parcels for those in crisis in the local community at the One Can Food Bank.

Crafternoon: 2-5pm

Recycled art, learn how to make crafts with recycled materials.

For more information or to book a place on these particular events, email jane.bower@bucks.ac.uk

Emergency First Aid Qualification: (full day)

An essential qualification that looks brilliant on any CV but also essential knowledge that could be needed to be put into practice at any point in life.

Wednesday African Drumming Workshop: (three x 45 minute)

In line with the rest of cultural activities that will be taking place on Wednesday 20th , an African Drumming Workshop has been organised to reveal more about the African culture. No need to be an expert in music just sign up and try something new!!

Thursday Introduction to British Sign Language: (two x ½ day)

A great skill to have if you are looking to work in the service sector but also very appealing to employers and will enhance any CV. To sign up for any of the above FREE activities, please visit bucksstudentsunion.org and choose activities week from the drop down menu. If you have any further questions please email kate.blythe@bucks.ac.uk

28 The Bucks Student October 2013

Graduate Career Guidebook - Steve Rook Steve is an author of careers guides for Palgrave Macmillan which is a major academic publisher. The book he is currently promoting is ‘The Graduate Career Guidebook’. The passion he has for writing on this issue is drawn from his empathy for students and graduates who have struggled to get their careers going.

Steve travelled the world for a decade after he graduated because he had no idea what he wanted to do with the rest of his life and was clueless about how he could proceed. Eventually he became a Primary School teacher just to emigrate to Australia.

Once he was in Perth, he set up his own business recruiting teachers and then became a University Careers Adviser. All these experiences have fed into his practical, enthusiastic and friendly careers guides.

Steve understands that planning and developing your career can be extremely daunting especially at a time when students and graduates are expected to take control from such an early stage. His session breaks the process down into six systematic steps that you can focus on individually before moving on – thus making the whole journey much easier to handle. He starts by showing the audience how to find interesting occupations and finish by demonstrating how you can secure meaningful fulfilling roles.

You should attend this session because it could change your life. Feedback from his talks over the years have revealed that numerous attendees have suddenly seen the light when it comes to finding a path forward. Also, he hates talking to an empty room and let’s face it – is there anything better to do on a Tuesday afternoon in Autumn?

Steve looks forward to seeing you there.

The best way to predict the

Looking for a part-time job, work-experience or a 2014 graduate role? Considering volunteering or working overseas next year?

If these questions strike a chord with you then make sure you visit the Jobs, Careers & Volunteers Fair on Thursday 21st November between 11am and 3pm which is bringing over 85 organisations onto campus and ALL want to talk to Bucks students. Not only can you network and find out more about a wide range of companies but from 3-4pm you will have the opportunity to practise your interview technique with 5 minute employer led speed interviews.

The fair is being held in our main Events Hall in High Wycombe (bus transport from Uxbridge available.)

So why should you come? Career fairs are especially important in a difficult job market and where you could meet your next employer or speak to someone who can help with industry research.

You’ll have the opportunity to meet and network with companies that you might not normally be able to access and find interesting roles/information from employers you may never have considered.

is to create it

If you are looking for employment or work experience here are a few tips to help you stand out: >> Have some knowledge of the company/ organization

>> Dress professionally >> Be prepared to ask appropriate questions and answer questions >> Be prepared to talk about yourself and promote skills and strengths >> Make sure you leave your contact details and ask for theirs >> Follow up any contacts you make at the fair If you are simply seeking to network: >> Be prepared to ask thoughtful and appropriate questions >> Have an idea of the type of industry and/or position you might be seeking in the future >> Be prepared to answer questions about your potential interests, and/or skills >> If you want help with your dissertation think about what information you’ll need from an organisation For regular updates about the event and employers attending ‘like’ the Careers & Employability Facebook page: facebook.com/careers.employability or contact louise.wicks@bucks.ac.uk (01494 605 103).

Jobs, Careers & Volunteers Fair 2013 Thursday 21 November 11am-3pm Events Hall, High Wycombe

bucksstudentsunion.org/events

October 2013 The Bucks Student 29

Media Production Graduate Panel This session will involve a range of speakers. Most notably amongst this group is David Rolfe.

David Rolfe is a highly respected and experienced Producer and Director. As MD of Screenpro Films Ltd in the 1970s David was engaged in the Middle East as a filming specialist with contracts in Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, and the Oman. This was followed by a spell as a feature film post production supervisor for Paramount, Warner Bros., EMI and other major distributors. During this period David was also Producer and Director of The Silent Witness – and Investigation into the Shroud of Turin, and was winner of BAFTA and Gold Awards at San Francisco, New York and many others. David was also a founder member of PACT and consultant to BBC Worldwide at this time.

During the 1980s David was Senior Producer London Weekend TV. He produced and directed series and episodes of: >> Credo (ITV’s regular series on religious issues) >> The London Programme >> Weekend World (ITV’s flagship weekly current affairs programme) including award winning specials on The Underclass, The Collapse of Communism and The Threat of CFCs to the Environment >> The Thatcher Years (Three hour studio special to mark her 10th anniversary as Prime Minister) >> Jesus – The Evidence (3 hour special for Channel 4 on revelations in New Testament scholarship) >> 20th Century Box >> The Walden Interviews >> The Skag Kids >> Family Affairs, and many others.

David also jointly oversaw LWT’s transition from film to video for factual output.

During the 1990s David took on the role of Senior Producer and Chairman of The Performance Group, an independent partnership comprising: >> Performance Films, (Broadcast Commissions) >> Performance Communications (Corporate Commissions) >> Performance Consultants (Coaching based training for industry and commerce.)

David was responsible for establishing Performance Coaching, a business that pioneered the use of coaching skills in all areas of the workplace and took turnover from £60,000 to over £2m in 2 years.

David also undertook the following roles during this period: >> Series Producer of Wild Islands 26 part film series on British and Irish Wildlife for ITV >> Producer of Postcards from the Country (4 of 8 episodes) for BBC Natural History Unit >> Panoramas for BBC 1 on AIDS, Satanic Abuse in Orkney and Horse Racing & the Jockey Club. >> Gorbachov’s 5th Anniversary Event live from Moscow. >> Executive Producer - Fight Again – A History of the Labour Party. (Three Parts) For BBC 2 Recorded at TLS. During a 2000-2002 - Sabbatical David invented and patented an amphibious vehicle, now in production. See ezyboat.com Between 2003-2006 David worked again with Performance Films Ltd, filming and editing sensitive and confidential subjects in the UK and abroad for Johnson & Johnson, Roche, Seiko and the World Health Organisation and developing film projects.

We are delighted that David will join the Graduate Panel on Friday November 22 from 12noon-3pm in the Gateway Lecture Theatre.

Thursday 21 November, 8pm, The Venue Calling all student artists, producers and songwriters, MC9 Music returns for the first of its special Demo Drop events.

This event is all about you! We want to hear your tracks, songs and demos created. Along with this, on the night we will be staging various up-and-coming artists as well as a very special guest!

All submissions will be put forward to be part of this year’s two student compilations albums - released in May.

o c s i D l o o h c S

NS! O N N A ER C C U A S .. .

G S N T I E Y E L F W ES H WITH T .

S R E UC S. R A E S C G U N A I FLY GS N I Y L F , OW YOU KN T. SHERBER

BUCKS STUDENTS’ U NION THE VENUE FRIDAY 22 NOVEMBE R - OPEN ‘TIL 3AM FREE ENTRY FOR BUC KS STUDENTS

October 2013 The Bucks Student 31

Student Essentials

From food to fashion and everything in between!

Submit your articles to studentessentials@thebucksstudent.com

in the know

Is there more to Halloween?

When thinking of Halloween the first thoughts to come to most minds are of pumpkins, dressing up and the chance to go trick-or-treating. The 31 October annual occasion allows people to get their pumpkin, reduce it to nothing but a shell and cut faces into its orange flesh, put a tea-light inside it and call it a jack-o’-lantern. Then living on pumpkin soup and pumpkin pie for the next couple of weeks. The generic idea of these lanterns is to warn away any evil spirits that are supposed to come back to life on this particular date. Although it is not an event which England celebrates to the extent of America it is something which the English acknowledge by getting partly into the Halloween spirit.

But something that might surprise most people who think that Halloween originates from America is that its actual origins were from the ancient Celtic festival known as Samhaim. This was a festival that celebrated the end of the harvest season. The idea of Halloween being spooky was from the Gaelic people who believed that every year on 31 October the wall between the living and the dead overlapped. The belief was that the deceased would come back on this date to cause chaos and havoc such as sickness or to damage crops. The festival often involved bonfires which coincidently would attract insects into the area which attracted bats hence the connection of bats to Halloween. Locals used to dress up in costumes and masks in order to mimic the evil spirits.

The reasoning as whether on this particular date a veil to the world of the dead drops will always

be a mystery. However there are numerous stories of unexplainable and spooky tales which have taken place on 31 October which could suggest otherwise. One story I’ve discovered which took place first the Halloween evening of 1995, where a couple were driving home together at 25mph on an empty road. When out of nowhere a black vehicle appeared behind them, as the car overtook them it was then that they realised the car was floating in the air and all four passengers were dressed in 1930s farm clothing. Just after the car had passed them it vanished. The same thing happened Halloween evening in 1997 and 1998. A second story that took place in 2012 was when a group of friends were visiting a local Chapel where two had stayed inside the car and were relaxing whilst the rest walked around the chapel. One of the girls who remained in the car took a photo using her iPhone of the scenery through the half wound down window, when looking back at the photo there is an image of a small girl knocking on the window. There is a story that the spirit of a young girl haunts the surrounding area of the chapel as she sneaks around and peers behind trees at visitors. Both these stories are perceived to be true but is it all myth and all made to scare us or is there any truth behind these tales. Are the deceased sharing the world with us on 31 October?

Happy Halloween

by Abbie Blunt

A short summary on the dispute between the BBC and Eos

Turning up the heat

The dispute between BBC and Eos is probably the biggest royalty dispute this year in the UK. Eos is a collective group of songwriters and publishers of Welsh music. The BBC popularly broadcasts Welsh music in two of their radio channels.

PRS for Music (henceforth known simply as PRS), is a UK copyright collecting society and performance rights organisation. In layman’s terms, the PRS collects money from the broadcasters, and distribute it as royalty fees to songwriters and publishers.

In 2007, the PRS changed the way they collected music from the BBC. This, according to the EOS, had a huge impact on their bottom line. After unsuccessful negotiations with the PRS, the Welsh music community withdrew from the PRS completely and subsequently created the EOS. The EOS then entered into negotiations with the BBC on the rate of royalty fees their members should receive. As expected neither party could reach an agreement. The BBC insisted on paying around £100,000 annually for the right to play the music, while EOS insists that the BBC pay around £1.5 million.

The case is expected to be heard in a copyright tribunal in a couple of days, however in the interim the tribunal has ruled that the BBC continue to pay £120,000 a year to access their music.

Deputy Student Editor Harmeet Singh Anand

Energy giants British Gas has put it’s prices up by over 9% for gas and electricity, taking effect from November 23. Gas will be increasing by 8.4% and electricity increasing by 10.4%. The major announcement came only days after rival SSE announced a price rise of 8.2%. British Gas says this rise in costs will add £2 a week to fuel bills.

British Gas stated that part of the blame lies with the government and their “social and environmental programmes” which are paid for through customers’ bills. Sources within the industry expect the other major energy suppliers to also announce price rises as they face similar costs.

With these price rises there has never been a better time to look for alternative deals in order to save money. The prices of the “big six” may be all within the same ball park, but there are still deals out there. A fixed tariff gives you security with a fixed price for several years; some fixed price deals will even cover you for up to four winters.

You could get a fixed price deal with your current provider, or you could switch providers all together.

The cheapest tariff on the market is from First Utility, they offer a fixed tariff until April 2015 which costs on average £1,170, Scottish Power and EDF also offer similar deals. If you wish to look further ahead you could always sign up to one of the fixed price deals lasting till 2017. Npower offer a 4 year fixed price deal with an average cost of £1,341 per year, with Scottish Power and EDF again offering similar deals.

It is always best to find out which company offers the best deal for you, based on your energy usage, you can compare deals on websites such as Moneysavingexpert.com. With energy prices being predicted to rise by at least 30-40% over the next five years it is better to find the deal which suits you best sooner rather than later, otherwise you could have a nasty surprise when you start receiving the bills.

ADVICE CENTRE

advice

Mental Health Take this quiz and find out if you know the mental health myths from the facts.

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ACCOMMODATION

COURSES

MONEY

YOUR PERSONAL LIFE

THE LAW

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ISSUES

High Wycombe Campus Ground floor, North Block 01494 603 016

Uxbridge Campus Room 1.03, first floor 01494 605 180

suadvice@bucks.ac.uk

bucksstudentsunion.org/advice

With the darker evenings and less sun many of us may experience mental health problems; some may even be experiencing course related stress. From the 4 November we will be running a Stress and Mental Health Awareness Week, so in preparation for that test out your knowledge by trying this quiz.

1. Mental health problems are rare.

Myth Fact 2. People with mental health problems are violent.

Myth Fact 3. People can recover completely from a mental illness.

Myth Fact 4. On average, people with severe mental illnesses die ten years younger.

Myth Fact 5. You can be open about mental health problems without fearing you’ll be treated differently.

Myth Fact 6. There’s not much you can do to help a friend experiencing a mental health problem.

Myth Fact 7. People can’t work if they have a mental health problem.

Myth Fact 8. If you use a mental health service, there’s a one in three chance you’ll lose contact with friends.

Myth Fact 1. Mental health problems are rare.

This is a myth. Mental health problems affect one in four people in any one year. So, even if you don’t have a mental health problem, it’s likely your best friend, a family member or work colleague will be affected.

2. People with mental health problems are violent.

This is a myth. People with mental health problems are much more likely to be the victim of violence. The violence myth makes it harder for people to talk openly about mental health problems. It can also make friends reluctant to stay in touch.

3. People can recover completely from a mental illness.

This is a fact. Many people can and do recover completely from mental health problems.

Alongside professional help, the support of friends, family and getting back to work are all important in helping people recover.

4. On average, people with severe mental illnesses die ten years younger.

This is a fact. But it’s not the mental illness that kills – it’s the discrimination. The physical health needs of people with mental health problems are

often dismissed, causing higher rates of death from heart attacks, diabetes and cancer for people with severe mental illness.

5. You can be open about mental health problems without fearing you’ll be treated differently.

This is a myth. People fear telling friends, family and work colleagues if they have a mental health problem because of stigma. In fact, 87% of people with a mental health problem have experienced discrimination.

6. There’s not much you can do to help a friend experiencing a mental health problem.

This is a myth. If someone you know is experiencing a mental health problem, just staying in touch can really help. For many people, it is the small things that friends do that can make a difference like visiting or phoning.

7. People can’t work if they have a mental health problem.

This is a myth. With one in four people affected by mental health problems, you probably work with someone with a mental health problem.

8. If you use a mental health service, there’s a one in three chance you’ll lose contact with friends.

This is a fact. Sometimes friends feel like they don’t know enough to be able to help or feel uncomfortable. But you don’t need to be an expert on mental health to be a friend. It’s often the everyday things, like a phone call or text that make a difference.

If you got more than four right...

Great! You know the mental health myths from the facts.

If you got fewer than four right...

It looks like it’s time to find out the facts about mental health problems. But just doing this quiz will have helped.

Get involved today There’s lots you can do to support friends and family experiencing mental health problems and help end mental health discrimination.

Go to time-to-change.org.uk and get involved today.

If you have any concerns about your mental health then please contact your GP or make an appointment with the University’s Counselling Service, which is completely confidential and is available at both campuses. T: 01494 605 018 E: counselling@bucks.ac.uk Or come and talk to us in the Students’ Union Advice Centre Our service is free, confidential run independently from the University. See our advert for where we are and our contact details.

October 2013 The Bucks Student 33

technology

Tech is cheap. Bebo: No matter how much a Playstation 4 (PS4) or Xbox One may cost you, it’s dirt cheap for its power on day one.

The cost of technology is something we take for granted, and recently I ran an article on attackofthefanboy. com about the recent reports of forced labour at Foxconn’s Yantai factory; the main focus being that Sony’s Playstation 4 is currently being manufactured there.

“According to multiple Asian news sources, Sony has been outsourcing PS4 development to over 1,000 ‘forced’ teenage labourers in China. The reports point to Engineering undergraduates at a Foxconn factory in Yantai, Shandong, being put into an internship at the factory that, whilst optional, is part of their accreditation, and as such, is needed to attain their respective diplomas.

The image, from the Dongfang Daily website, allegedly shows the students from Yantai walking to work, where they are made to work eleven and a half hour shifts, with a half an hour break for lunch, and a 10 minute break in the morning.

The work revolves around peeling stickers off consoles, carrying boxes, and other forms of manual labour; none of which point towards a better academic understanding of engineering.

Foxconn, in a written interview on the 25 of September, denied such speculation, saying that they had “no power and no ability to require any person to enforce the internship.”

The Yantai factory has already come under fire for a 300+ worker brawl at the factory in September, and denied previous speculation that people were left dead after the event. Rumours of rape around the factory are also being circulated across news outlets.

Whilst undergraduates can leave of their own free will, they also lose out on ‘valuable’ work experience relevant to their studies, and as such, feel forced to work at the factory.

Despite such a bad reputation, Sony are using this facility to build PS4′s, and it certainly casts a small shadow over the companies brand identity as the PS4 launch draws closer.

Other popular tech companies have in the past also made use of Foxconn’s Yantai facility. Apple was infamously contracting with the factory when an explosion occurred during the paint spraying process of a new iPhone device, and Microsoft has used Foxconn factories in other locations as well. Ultimately, Foxconn’s management at individual plants who are breaching human rights and other international laws and agreements relating to work safety, and not the parties they have contracted with.

China has been infamous for a long time on its human rights violations at every level, and we have accepted it as a part of the world we live in,; but it’s a sad fact we don’t care as long as we have mobile access to Facebook, Twitter, texts and calls for a low price.

“Will it work?

Who knows?!”

Let’s, just for a second, have a moment to remember our youth...

...an ironic statement for a 21 year old to make.

In between sessions on Runescape and miniclip. com, Bebo was the place to be for us nineties kids growing up in in the mid-2000s.

It was, before the likes of Facebook and Twitter, the biggest online social network in the UK and Ireland, more popular than Google itself. And that isn’t some journalistic pretentious statement, it genuinely was, with more hits a month here in the UK than the world’s biggest search engine.

In 2008, British based developers Michael and Xochi Birch sold Bebo to AOL in a deal reported to be worth $850million, (a deal which would later cost AOL CEO Randy Falco his job). But with the rise of Facebook (I am myself a self-confessed Judas), and the creative expertise of the founders gone, it sank lower into the dot com abyss. It wasn’t alone. Remember Friends Reunited and Friendster, even Myspace (or as it’s now known, my____ pretentious morons.) is a shell of its former self.

The life and soul of those websites seemed lost and unnecessary in the modern day Facebook dictatorship. Until this summer when the original owners bought it back for a somewhat ‘poxy’ £1million.

The plan is simple. Bring back Bebo.

But not the Bebo we cherish from our childhood days, but a new, streamlined Bebo with the sort of efficiency and purpose than Kevin McCloud would be proud of.

It’s heavily under wraps, and other than a video released by the company about crude drawings of c**k and balls, the world is under wraps about what the new Bebo may have in store. It’s entering a marketplace effectively from scratch. All users have been deleted, the website has been shut down until the launch and the only way users can retrieve their old files and pictures will be through a download which hasn’t even been released yet.

But what sort of features might we expect?

Will we still be able to give and receive those all-important “luvs” which tore apart playground friendships? Maybe there will be whiteboards where we can once again show our friends our artistic merits by sketching the male genitals, carefully tracking our mouse pads. Ahh those were the days.

“So will it work? Who knows?” Says Michael Birch. Realistically, it has a lot of catching up to do and a game to raise beyond what has ever been achieved in the global marketplace before. So many companies have tried to launch and take on the majors, only to fall flat. Remember Virgin Cola?

No, not many people do.

I do however, with a slight sense of misguided optimism, hope it has some impact. Even if only to maintain and cherish those after school childhood memories in the same way my mother tells me how it was safer to play outside thirty years ago.

Bebo: Good Luck!

Student Editor Tom Badger

by Matt Jaques

The importance of procrastination blogging.

Everyone knows procrastination is a big part in any student experience, but doing something useful whilst avoiding work seems somewhat impossible. Even though it’s probably something you do without even thinking about it.

Say you need inspiration; Tumblr and Pinterest are great for storing, literally, anything you like.

If you’re a frequent user of Tumblr then you’ll know the more blogs you follow, the more hectic your feed, so inspiration’s not exactly hard to come by. If your projects are longer the month-by-month review of your posts are great to come through. You get posting, you can look back and see how your taste changes and develops, giving you the occasional oh god what was I thinking moment.

I for one hate blogs with a messy layout, but Tumblr is pretty user friendly when it comes to having a nice layout whatever media you post in.

Similarly Pinterest is much more organised, but a visual based blog although easy to organise, if you’re not careful you can end up bombarded with wedding planning, easy meals and cat pictures. But again it’s easy to have your procrastination turn into inspiration for work. So you can be accidentally organised and have that start off point you need for the project that’s being set next Monday.

So procrastination also shows off your personality; Blogs, feeds etc. are an insight into what you’re interested in, your opinions and what you’re doing. Wordpress, Blogspot, and even Twitter are great for this.

Whether you share your own photos, videos or opinions, it’s great for future employers to know what you’re like… or on the off chance you might get talent spotted, which you have to admit, is a dream.

Twitter although being useful for seeing what Amanda Bynes’ latest mental breakdown is, is also great for following people from your

industry. It’s not just great for them to see you. As daunting as the thought of being a real grown up may be, being able to see people who already have the job you want is an insight into the sort of life you might have in five years time.

Boosting your online profile isn’t the only great reason you should blog. As you know, or are yet to find out, student life doesn’t exactly come stress-free. Everyone needs down time and blogs are a great way to escape. You don’t have to get your work involved but sharing what you like whatever way you like will keep you refreshed and make sure you don’t get too stressed out or bogged down in work. Not only that but blogging is great to let off steam. It’s easy to create a private place online and vent out whatever the day has laid on you, putting you in a better place to get on with being a student.

34 The Bucks Student October 2013

feed me

research

We are always hungry for your feedback!

Power, advertising and Web 2.0 technologies

Keep reading this column to find out how to feedback to the Students’ Union with your thoughts and opinions. There is everything from filling out surveys to attending focus groups and you can contribute as much or as little as you like!

Re-considering advertising strategies in the age of ubiquitous social media

Visit bucksstudentsunion.org/surveys to give us feedback on our latest surveys

Well Remembered During both the Uxbridge and High Wycombe freshers fairs, students were asked whether they were a member of Bucks Students’ Union. The same question was asked seven months earlier. Results can be seen below!

March 2013

Yes 31%

No 33%

Not Sure 36%

September 2013

Yes 71%

No 11%

Not Sure 16%

Remember as a student, you are all automatically members of Bucks Students’ Union!

‘Decentralised’ structure of the Internet does not seem to have resulted in ‘democratisation’, at least in a universal and straightforward format.

Commercialisation of the Internet as well as state control and surveillance revealed a dark side of the new media technologies, which is less explored in the academic literature. The rise of collaborative and interactive Web technologies and popularisation of ‘Web 2.0’ in the past decade have made the matter more complex. Although the new technologies seem to have ‘empowered’ individuals and enabled them to challenge the traditional information gatekeepers, the increasing tendency to share different aspects of ‘private’ and everyday life in the, so called, ‘social media’ seems to be having considerable consequences on individual’s freedom and privacy.

The ‘culture of sharing’ is rapidly becoming the main theme in the digital world, and commercial corporations cannot afford to miss some invaluable opportunities that this could bring for them. They were, in fact, amongst the pioneers of the Web 2.0, and invested a lot in developing commerciallydriven online communities and social web platforms. Advertising and PR agencies also did, and they are still doing, all efforts to exploit different aspects of social interaction online. They implement sophisticated methods and techniques to ‘monetise’ Web 2.0 communications. They systematically monitor, ‘data-mine’ and ‘harvest’ user-generated information online, in order to target the most relevant customers according to their individual desires and interests. This, as I argue, results in a concealed and ‘softer’ domination of commercial culture of capitalism.

In order to explore benefits and challenges of Web 2.0 advertising, and also to understand the way that the new communication technologies impact on brand-consumer relationships, I conducted a number of interviews with strategy makers at some of the world’s leading advertising agencies, and asked them to express their perspective about the role of Web 2.0 technologies in advertising industry. In particular, they were asked to express their ideas about the rationale behind using Web 2.0 for advertising and commercial communications, benefits and challenges of Web 2.0 advertisings for brands and consumers, consumers’ motivations for engagement in commerciallydriven communications, and the impact of new technologies on brand-consumer relationships.

The interview analysis indicates that new marketing, advertising and PR strategies are being

implemented by advertising agencies to influence on consumers in a more effective and efficient manner. The ‘social ads’ should be consistent with the culture of social media, in order to remain ‘persuasive’ and effective. To grab users’ attention in the over-crowded and noisy environment of social networking websites, for instance, brands and advertising agencies need to use their creativity and invent more intelligent techniques to make the contents more ‘entertaining’ and less ‘advertising’. They use the social Web to build a ‘personalised’ relationship with individuals and also to gather as much information about their habits and interests as possible in order to improve their ‘algorithmic control’. This will enable them to predict individuals’ behaviours and chose the best path of marketing and advertising, based on mathematical calculations. However, they are also facing new challenges in the age of ubiquitous social media; challenges such as perpetual transparency and honesty, speed and quality in dealing with high volume of real-time inquiries, and fulfilling consumers’ high expectancies.

These strategic improvements, in my view, indicate a shift from traditional advertising to a ‘commercialised communication’, which is aimed to be more intimate, informal, persuasive and entertaining (or ‘cool’). The ultimate consequence of this shift, however, is to maintain power by generating and regenerating ‘prosumer identities’, which have absorbed the ‘post-hegemonic’ power structure, and are ‘controlled’ from inside. This softer version of domination rules over individuals who have internalised the new structure of power, and is reproduced in their everyday interaction within Web 2.0 environments. That is how the ‘prosumer capitalism’ (Ritzer and Jurgenson 2010) re-builds itself.

In the age of Web 2.0, the ‘hidden persuaders’ (Packard 1970) are even more ‘hidden’.

by Mohammad H. Kazeroun

I studied Sociology as an undergraduate degree, and finished my MA in Media and Cultural Studies from the University of Birmingham in 2009. In 2010, I joined the research community here at Bucks New University to do my PhD in a funded project about the use of Web 2.0 in advertisings and commercial communications. My academic research interest is on new media and its social and political implications, consumer culture, postmodernism and critical media and cultural studies.

NUS news

nus.org.uk

What’s your biggest impact?

NUS works to ensure students can drive change, and shape the future of education.

We are made up of over 600 member students’ union throughout both further and higher education and represent the realities of the lives of seven million students.

This year, the National Union of Students created an interactive impact report so you can find out what NUS has been up to.

It’s been a bumper year, with big wins in improving the welfare and educational experience of students, as well as the world

around us. We’ve also worked hard in collaboration with your local students’ union to ensure they remain strong, sustainable, democratic bodies that support your needs throughout your educational journey.

They have also included an

impact wall, where you can record your own achievements and impacts, so we can reflect on our collective strengths.

Please do add to it, as we’d love to hear from you.

To view the report visit: nusimpact.org.uk/

TENNIS CANOEING ROWING

GIVE GOLF A GO!

GYMNASTICS SOFTBALL RUGBY ATHLETICS HOCKEY FOOTBALL NETBALL SQUASH WAKEBOARDING BOXING CLIMBING VOLLEYBALL SPINNING

Sport For Fun are giving students and staff the opportunity to take up golf. Whether you see yourself as the next Tiger Woods or are a complete beginner, these lessons are for everyone!

Lessons run weekly on a Monday evening, 5 - 6pm (for students) and 6 - 7pm (for staff) from 18 November - 16 December. There is a £20 charge, however, if you attend at least four out of the five sessions, you get £10 back.

Email sport@bucks.ac.uk to sign up or to find out more.

WATERSKIING BADMINTON BASKETBALL SWIMMING DODGEBALL BOXERCISE GOLF

36 The Bucks Student October 2013

Extra Curricular

An insight into everything the Students’ Union offers and how you can get involved. Best of all it’s free!

societies

Musicians Society New to Bucks New Uni is the Musicians Society. They represent, develop and promote musicians within Buckinghamshire New University while creating a platform of opportunity.

On the 21 of May 2013 the Musicians Society presented the ‘Main Event’ at what is now the High Wycombe Campus Students’ Union ‘Venue’. This showcased performances by musicians from the university crowned with an epic special guest performance from the headline act Mikill Pane. This academic year they plan to return with a bigger and better edition of the ‘Main Event’. You have to be there, so make sure you don’t miss it! Seriously.

And just to throw it out there, early 2014 is when you’ll need to keep your eyes and ears peeled for the compilation album ‘The Main Compilation’, featuring songs from a collection of the Musicians Society members. They have prepared a package of homegrown talent you will absolutely enjoy.

You’re most likely to be wondering who is who? Well, the current chairman of the society is Rory Morgan also known as Raw Savant supported by the Vice Chairman Jermaine Ngobeh (REAL SUIIET J.A.Y). The secretary Is Pooja Vatsa and the treasurer is Lucy Griffiths.

If you feel like you would like to be a part of, or make a

contribution to the Musicians Society now is actually a great time to contact the team. They are currently looking for support in events, film and photography, graphic design, marketing, promotion and general assistance behind the scenes. With opportunities such as these you can place another bragging right on your CV and the team are more than happy to give a reference on your behalf. Definitely message them on Facebook or Twitter!

The Musicians Society also welcome you to approach them at any time about any type of query regarding the society and they are open to any suggestions and/or recommendations for improvement.

In the mean time, ‘LIKE’ the Facebook page ‘Bucks Musicians Society’ and follow the Twitter page @BNUMusiciansSociety for all contacts, activity and information updates.

Look out for posters, banners, flyers, adverts and the guys in their T-shirts. This is about to be an eventful year.

- Musicians Society Logo - The Main Event Logo - Facebook: Bucks Musicians Society - Twitter: @BNUMusiciansSociety

LIFE AT THE CRIMINAL BAR Performing Arts Society

30/10/2013

Confirmed Guests for the Evening: His Honour Judge Francis Sheridan – Aylesbury Crown Court Corinne Bramwell – Barrister – 9 Bedford Row Michael McAlinden – Barrister – 2 Dr. Johnsons Building’s Date: Wednesday 30th October 2013 Venue: ‘Old Board Room’ (South Wing) Time: 6.00pm – 8.30pm Itinerary: 6.00pm – 6.30pm – Welcome & Ice Breaker & Refreshments 6.30pm – 8.00pm – Q&A Session 8.00pm – 8.30pm – Snacks & Refreshments.

OPEN TO ALL STUDENTS. For more info email us: buckslawsociety@gmail.com

The Performing Arts Society is changing this year. We’re branching out, experimenting, and planning some amazing things from plays to musicals, to films with more than 30 actors involved in a single, uncut take. One of the most important things this year, is that we’re keeping you guys informed of EVERYTHING we’re doing, even if you’re not in the society. We want you to be proud of what we do; we want you to show it off and talk about it with passion, but most importantly, we want to make Bucks New Uni known for its incredible Performing Arts Society.

Performing isn’t just about acting, it’s about every single aspect of all kinds of performance.

From the initial idea, whether that’s at the writers table or a sudden surge of inspiration, to the preproduction meetings about costume, location and rehearsals, to production on camera, on stage, or flashmob, and finally post-production, involving special effects, editing, and audio mastering.

What we are is a society passionate about performance, in all its guises, genres and to all possible audiences.

Who we are? We are performers, skilled support crew and a dedicated technical team, working on projects we create as a team, and learning skills that we want to, from people with experience in the performance industry.

What we’re going to do is act, dance, sing, film, flashmob, create, record, and share as many performances as we can, in as many media styles as we can, at the most professional levels.

Why are we going to do this?

Because every member of this society is slightly obsessed, slightly crazy, and very, very passionate about some aspect of creating, performing, or capturing performance, and we’re doing it because it’s fun, it’s interesting, but most importantly, because we WANT to.

So, keep your eyes open for projects, posters and information on what the Performing Arts Society is up to. We think you’ll be impressed, and if you fancy a sneak peek of things we’re working on

currently, well, a one take nerf war, a musical based on a popular board game, an advert for every other society, and a 4 part project involving a music video, a singing masterclass, a complex dance, and a live recording team, all working as one. We’re not aiming low.

Think you’d like to join us? All we’re looking for, is people who aren’t afraid to try. Find us on Facebook, search ‘BNU Performing Arts Society’, or contact a committee member, all our contact details are at the student centre, on the posters, or with anyone who’s already a member.

I’m looking forward to this year. We’ve lined up the lights, we’re rolling the cameras, now it’s time for action.

by Josh Hayes

October 2013 The Bucks Student 37

RAG

Hiking Vikings Hiking Vikings, who are these I hear you say? Let me explain. Well, a lot of you would have heard about Hitch already around the University, whether it be posters, information meetings, flyers around halls or our stall at Fresher’s Fayre but this is my chance to tell you a little bit more about the best experience of my life! If you came to the Hitch stall, which was one of the first stalls in the library, you’re more than likely not going to remember what was said as you were probably bombarded with A LOT of information!

Hitch is the original and best hitch hiking experience out there! It has been running for 22 years now with nearly 9,000 students from all over the country hitching to either Croatia or Morocco. It is all in aid of a charity called Link Community Development, which many of you will not of heard before, however the work they do is incredible. They make a massive impact in 5 African countries including Ethiopia, Ghana, Malawi, South Africa and Uganda. There are a lot of charities that build schools in various African countries, which I’m sure you’ve all heard of, but Link takes it that step further. Link dedicate their money to ensuring that schools are performing to a good standard and making sure all those children get the right education they need, whether that be from using hygienic toilets to ensuring that the teachers having the training they require to provide the best education possibly, a sort of OFSTED inspection if you like, it’s not a glamorous job, but it is extremely important. In Easter 2013 I and my fellow Hiking Vikings, Joseph McCrudden and Sophie Homan, set off from the UK on what I can honestly say was the adventure of my life time! If you’ve ever wanted to take a gap year and travel, but haven’t got the time, then fear not as the Hitch is like a gap year all rolled up in two weeks.

During our trip we travelled through 7 different countries in 10 days, now how many of you can say you’ve done that and for a brilliant cause? Probably not a lot. Not only did we see some amazing and beautiful sights but we met some amazing people along the way, people

we’ll never forget. Croatia was one of two places you could choose to travel to, we choose Croatia for several reasons but mainly due to the route we had to take to arrive in Croatia. We were shocked by the generosity and kindness of strangers who offered many things from food and drink to places to stay. Scary I know but believe it or not there are actually nice people in the world, faith in humanity was restored after this trip.

One of my favourite moments was in Croatia when we stayed with a Croatian family. They were such a lovely family who made our experience so much better! Zorica, the mother of the house referred to us as her ‘kids’, going as far as waking us up in the morning with a fresh pot of coffee and to top it all off even made us a beautiful apple cake on Sunday, my own mother doesn’t even do that for me. Another moment during the Hitch that was a personal favourite was when we travelling through Paris, we were directed by a stranger to a hitch hikers post, on arriving there were many messages from other hitch hikers giving wise words of advice as well informing people about their routes and destinations.

We saw this as an opportunity to leave the Hiking Vikings trademark for all to see and to add information for other hitchers in the future to help them as others have helped us. Its moments like this that I look back on and think how big of an achievement we’ve actually made and how travelling around Europe and seeing the world, raised money for those less fortunate then me to go to school and have the education they are entitled to. If you want to make a difference to someone’s life as well as having the time of your life by jumping into stranger’s cars, then here’s your opportunity to. You can join your fellow students from across the country and become a hitcher in 2014’s Hitch. If you want more information on the Hitch or have any questions then join, ‘Bucks Hitch 2014’ on Facebook. Do not be afraid, embrace the adventure.

RAG Week Our RAG week is coming up (4-8 November) and we need lots of volunteers to help raise money for our RAG charities. This year, they are Macmillan Cancer Trust, Great Ormond Street Hospital and the Pepper Foundation. Look out for: >> >> >> >> >> >>

Poppy selling in Uxbridge and High Wycombe town centre Musicans Society Busk Stop CoppaFeel cake sale SABBOTAGE Volley for RAG And...FOR ONE WEEK ONLY the classic Spag bol with a RAG twist - order your RAG bol in the Lounge from 4-8 November and 50p will be donated to our charities.

If you want to find out more information or sign up to volunteer, please email jane.bower@bucks.ac.uk

RAG

by Hollie Michele Sipple

volunteering

Upcoming Projects • Working with children at the Wycombe Environment Centre 30 October Help local kids put on a puppet show at the Environment Centre during half term holidays.

• RAG week fundraising 4-8 November Help fundraise for our three RAG charities; Great Ormand Street, Macmillan Cancer Support and Pepper Foundation • Children in Need Fundraising 15 November If you have any ideas for fundraising for Children in Need, then let us know. We’re always looking for student led projects.

Looking for something a little more long term?

If you have a little more time to spare and are looking for a long term volunteering opportunity, look no further! We have a range of opportunities which you can get involved with! Some of our exciting opportunities include: If you want to sign up for these volunteering opportunities, or wish to view more, please email jane.bower@bucks.ac.uk

>> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>

Assistant Dance Teacher Gym buddy Xbox buddy Event Assistants Office assistants Graphic designers Film and video coordinator Events promoter

Want to find out more about volunteering?

Do you already volunteer? Come and have a chat with us!

We’ll be in Uxbridge on the 28 October from 11.30-13.00 in Pulse and in the SU Foyer in High Wycombe on the 12 November from 11.30-14.00.

Keep up to date with all of our projects by signing up to our newsletter. Email volunteering@bucks.ac.uk

BUCKS WARDROBE Visit our website for the full range of branded merchandise. bucksstudentsunion.org/shop

38 The Bucks Student October 2013

union Jack

what Matt-ers

ASK To be or not to be that is the question?

Knowledge The state or fact of knowing.

We often go through life thinking about what we could have done retrospectively. Many of us find it easy to make a bold and outrageous statement via social media but we struggle with real face-to-face interaction. I want you to think about that voice in your head that holds you back. That time in a seminar when you had the correct answer in your head but decided not to comment, for fear of getting it wrong...

Your University experience is not easy. You will continuously find yourself in situations that are stretching your limits and pushing you outside your comfort zone. This could be in a seminar, a group discussion, presenting alone to your lecturer or just introducing yourself to someone.

I feel that without knowledge we are all doomed.

I like to write about the information age that we live in, and I believe it is very important. Whilst at university you are constantly told about what you should read, listen to or watch. Now is your chance to break from the mould and be the person you want to be.

Rather than watching Eastenders, why not watch a documentary?

Instead of another game of GTA maybe invest your time in a book you find interesting. We have 24 hours in a day and what we do with those hours are what make us.

My three words this week are Assertive, Solo and Knowledge

Jack Badu Vice President Education and Welfare

Assertive Inclined to bold or confident assertion; aggressively self-assured.

Self-confidence and arrogance often get mistaken as being the same. The social pressures of fitting in and conforming are often very useful but think about what makes you unique? Why should anyone employ you? Know what you’re best at and let that guide you through life. In order to be free you must realise that creativity’s worst enemy is self-doubt.

Solo To fly an airplane without a companion or an instructor, especially for the first time.

Unless you are already enrolled on the commercial pilot course here at Bucks you may feel that this does not relate to you. You may never fly a plane, but we all have to make decisions based on our own judgement. Whether it’s what you’re having for dinner tonight, or deciding your dissertation subject or module choices. If you go with your gut, you can’t have any regrets.

Now things have started to die down a bit, everyone is starting to get into their routines with lectures, playing in their sports team, meeting with their societies. But that doesn’t mean that you still haven’t got time to go out and enjoy yourself.

We have exciting events coming up including a Sabbatical takeover and also the opportunity for sports teams and societies to run their own night in the venue.

In other news… We have a winnerrrr!! Windsor and Alexandra house were crowned the Battle of the Halls Champions. After a hotly contested afternoon of sport in the events hall Windsor and Alexandra lead from the front with Brook Street and Hughenden neck and neck just behind. But the evening events of a dance off, a boat race and a competition on the punch machine left Windsor and Alexandra with the crown. Watch this space for Battle of the Halls 2!

The sports kit is in and I must say everyone is going to be looking very impressive rocking up to their fixtures. You can also buy the off field ‘stash’ from this website which also includes 20% off all products underarmourteamsports.co.uk/ collections/bucks-new-uni. This stuff is all completely optional so don’t feel like you need to empty your piggy bank to get it.

Volunteering hours have reached an amazing 750 hours. Thanks to everyone that has contributed to this so far, but don’t rest on your laurels. Keep on volunteering as it is a great CV builder and giving something back your community gives you a fantastic bit self-satisfaction. Let’s get this doubled in the next month.

That’s it’s for this week but stay tuned for the next edition.

Over and out.

by Matt Gilbert Vice President Student Involvement

sports Players of the Match Katie Singleton Netball 1st Nick Ogbonna Rugby 1st Ashton Chesterman Bailey Rugby 2nd Charlotte Prince Tennis Womens Herve Veyron Football 1sts Jamel Williamson Football 3rds Jervis Tasinda Football 4ths Bedry Moanda Football 5ths Chris Pedrick Mens Hockey Sidney Thompson Volleyball Grace Shiels & Catherine Ray Ladies Football

Basketball Volleyball is back The Basketball Club at Bucks New Uni has always stayed in the shadows, but in the last 2 years we’ve decided it’s our time to shine.

After more than 120 guys n’ girls signed up for basketball at the Freshers’ Fair 2013 team members have shown great support in keeping the team afloat. With 4 successful training sessions behind us and no injuries things are going well. On the 16 October the women faced Roehampton in a Varsity rematch, although we lost there is acknowledgement of how far the team has come in only 3 weeks and how determined the ladies are to keep strong and keep going. On the same day, the men had their rematch with Roehampton. With an obliterating 97-48 win Bucks Mens’ Basketball showed us what we have in store to look out for this season! If you are interested in finding us just ask around, the ladies team is always looking for new players. Show your support on Wednesday 30th October, the men will be playing Portsmouth University in our events hall at 5:30pm. The women have a game at 5:30 vs University or Reading.

This year Volleyball and Badminton split apart as societies which so far are working well. Volleyball is really evolving here at Bucks with an average of 37 students attending Tuesday sessions from 8pm in the events hall. We have also managed to secure a few Saturday training sessions, the next being Saturday 2nd November. This gives a chance for beginners and old students to get more time to practice and have fun playing matches. So far the men’s team have played one match, losing 3–0,

however this is the first match and training since has been incredibly promising. Man of the Match was awarded to Ashton Vautier as he was consistent throughout the match and stood out from everyone else. The women’s team are still yet to play their first fixture, however they are set to go.

Everyone is welcome to come along on a Tuesday at 8pm to give volleyball a go as it’s a great opportunity to pick up a new sport for free!

October 2013 The Bucks Student 39

Initiations Every year towards the start of the academic year anyone that joins a society or sports club gets the opportunity to initiate into that society.

It is not a required task to be part of that club but it’s a fun night that can get a bit messy which brings everyone together. It is a great chance for freshers or new members to get to know the rest of the society.

Initiations can involve challenges, mess and a fair bit of drinking. It is a great bonding experience between the society and it is a chance to show overall loyalty to that society.

Send us your initiation photos student.editor@thebucksstudent.com

A few lines from some society’s committee members: “It was a great night and a great opportunity for all the fresher’s to get to know us 2nd and 3rd years a lot better. I feel it has settled the nerves of the fresher’s and really shown them they can make friends for life with Bucks Men’s Rugby Club” – Sam Bottom, Bucks Men’s Rugby “We had 40 people turn up for initiations and ours was school themed as we were the teachers and they were students. We had a series of themed games i.e: maths, p.e, art, biology, food tech, etc. Overall the night was really successful and everyone had a sick time!” – Luke Stovell, Buckssnowsoc.

“It was very messy but generally all in all pretty good, the new herd of freshers we had were very good and I think in general everyone had a good night” - Ellie Dawson, Bucks Ducks Secretary Initiations are not something which every club or society decides to participate in but it is always a fun occasion allowing for a stronger bond to be built between old and new members of any society.

by Abbie Blunt

fixtures and results Results 16 Oct

Fixtures 30 October

Mens Badminton Reading 2nd 8-0 Bucks 1st Womens Football Middlesex 1st 10-0 Bucks 1st Womens Tennis Bucks 1st 12-0 University of Sussex 2nd Womens Badminton Bucks 1st 8-0 University of Westminster 1st Mens Football Bucks 1st 4-0 Roehampton 1st Bucks 2nd 2-0 Portsmouth 3rd Bucks 5th 1-2 Portsmouth 6th Bucks 6th walkover SOAS 2nd walkover Roehampton 2nd 0-4 Bucks 4th University of Westminster 3rd 3-0 Bucks 7th Womens Netball Bucks 1st 24-37 Surrey 2nd St Mary’s 3rd 40-30 Bucks 2nd Imperial Medics 8th 6-37 Bucks 3rd Mens Rugby Union Bucks 1st 7-34 St George’s 1st Bucks 2nd 32-5 Royal Holloway 2nd Mens Hockey Bucks 1st 4-2 Brunel 2nd Mens Volleyball Royal Holloway 1st 3-0 Bucks 1st Womens Basketball Bucks 1st 17-46 Roehampton 1st Mens Basketball Bucks 1st 97-48 Roehampton 1st

Mens Table Tennis Queen Mary 1st vs. Bucks 1st Mens Hockey Reading University 3rd vs. Bucks 1st Womens Netball St George’s, University of London 4th vs.

Bucks 3rd Bucks 1st vs. Portsmouth University 4th University of Westminster 1st vs. Bucks 2nd Mixed Golf Bournemouth University 1st vs. Bucks 1st Mixed Golf Bucks 2nd vs. University of Hertfordshire 1st Womens Tennis City University London 1st vs. Bucks 1st Womens Volleyball Bucks 1st vs. St Mary’s 1st Womens Badminton Roehampton 1st vs. Bucks 1st Womens Football Universities at Medway 1st vs. Bucks 1st Mens Football Roehampton 2nd vs. Bucks 5th Bucks 6th vs. TBC Bucks 7th vs. Reading University 2nd Bucks 4th vs. TBC Brunel University 2nd vs. Bucks 1st Womens Table Tennis Essex 1st vs. Bucks 1st Mens Rugby Union Bucks 1st vs. Portsmouth University 1st Bucks 2nd vs. Kingston University 2nd Roehampton 2nd vs. Bucks 1st Womens Hockey Bucks 1st vs. Brunel University 2nd Mens Basketball Bucks 1st vs. Portsmouth University 2nd Mens Badminton University of Westminster 1st vs. Bucks 1st Womens Basketball Bucks 1st vs. University of Westminster 1st Mens Futsal St Mary’s 1st vs. Bucks 1st Mens American Football Bucks 1st vs. Essex 1st

Fixture 3 Nov

Mens Futsal St Mary’s 1st vs. Bucks 1st Mens American Football Bucks 1st vs. Essex 1st

Fixtures 6 Nov Mens Volleyball Kingston University 1st vs. Bucks 1st Womens Netball University of Surrey 2nd vs. Bucks 1st Mens Badminton Middlesex University 1st vs. Bucks 1st Mens Football TBC vs. Bucks 6th Mens Hockey Bucks 1st vs. TBC Mixed Golf Kent 1st vs. Bucks 2nd Bucks 1st vs. University of Exeter 1st Mens Tennis University of Hertfordshire 1st vs. Bucks 1st Mens Basketball Portsmouth University 2nd vs. Bucks 1st Mens Football Bucks 4th vs. Kingston University 2nd Bucks 2nd vs. Brunel University 1st Bucks 3rd vs. University of Chichester 3rd King’s College London 1st (Medics) vs.

Bucks 1st Womens Netball Bucks 3rd vs. Imperial College London 6th Mens Rugby Union Bucks 1st vs. TBC Roehampton University 3rd vs. Bucks 2nd Womens Hockey Bucks 1st vs. University of Brighton 2nd

40 The Bucks Student October 2013

Battle of the Halls

The very first Battle of the Halls has been completed and Windsor and Alexandra have taken the bragging rights.

Sport for Fun Ambassador of the month It’s been a great start for Sport for Fun activities and all of our ambassadors have been doing a really good job. Josh (Badminton), Iain (Squash) and George (Volleyball) have had great numbers at their sessions and have already nearly hit their new participant target! However, for October, the ambassador of the month award is being given to Hollie Sipple. Hollie is incredibly passionate about developing the rowing society and has had over 30 people attending the first couple of sessions. She has been organised, reliable and has worked very hard to promote the society. Fellow members of the society speak very highly of her: “Hollie puts so much effort into rowing and is constantly working hard to keep the society running.

She puts her heart and soul into it and is always looking for new ways to improve it.”

Five-a-Side Throughout the day the four halls participated in Badminton, Volleyball, Softball, Dodgeball and Rowing to try and win points for their halls. As the day progressed it became obvious that Windsor and Alexandra (the two smallest halls) were not just there for fun. After securing some solid wins in the Badminton and Volleyball they were beginning to edge ahead. Once four of the sports were completed, they were streets ahead of Brook Street and Hughenden. But thanks to some hard rowing from Brook Street’s Hollie Sipple, Brook Street were back in it. So after the sports, the scores were Brook Street on 54, Hughenden on 53 and Windsor/Alexandra on 82. So that just left the evening for the Halls to try and take the one hand Windsor and

Alexandra House already had on the trophy.

We kicked off proceedings with three girls and three boys from each hall having a punch off on the punch machine. Hughenden seemed to be the halls to pack the biggest punch and closed the gap. Leaving Windsor and Alexandra in 1st, Hughenden 2nd and Brook Street 3rd.

Which just left the boat race and dance off to decide the winner. With some interesting dance moves Brook Street won, but it wasn’t enough to take the trophy away from a determined Windsor and Alexandra.

The night was a great success so keep your eyes peeled for the Battle of the Halls 2, and see who can topple Windsor and Alexandra from the top spot…

Want to join a fun five a-side league? Are you in a society, sports team, or fancy a kick about with a bunch of mates?

Bucks 5 a side league is NEW this year and is a great way to have a laugh and bond with housemates, course mates and other members of Uni. For £5 a team, each week, it really is a bargain. If you want to register, please email fenlonshay@gmail.com

S 2013 K R O W FIRE SATURDAY THE 2ND OF NOVEMBER 2013

HIGH WYCOMBE ROUND TABLE

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AT THE FOUR ASHES FIELD £20 CAR ENTRY £6 ON FOOT GATES OPENING AT 5PM STARTING AT 5PM

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