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ISSUE 14
YOUR NEWS - YOUR VIEWS
DUNDEE UNIVERSITY STUDENT MAGAZINE
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YOURNEWS....YOURSPORT....YOURVIEWS....YOURSCIENCE....YOURMUSIC....YOURFEATURES...YOURHEALTH... YOURTRAVEL...YOURINFOCUS....YOURART.....YOURREPRESENTATION...YOURMAGDALEN
If you are interested in getting involved, we are looking for: Current Affairs Editor Photographers Travel Writers Features Writers E-mail us at themagdalen@dusa.co.uk for more information. Check us out on Facebook by searching “The Magdalen�. Alternatively, call us on 01382 381064 or swing by the office on Level Four in the Union.
current affairs Local, International News Multiculturalism West African Connection
features Budget Deficit Explained Ryanmare with Craig Kelly and Gary Cocker How Good Is Our Uni?
fashion Collections Accessorising Vs a New Wardobe Fashion Show Review
sport F1 Wrestling DUSA Volleyball and Netball
travel
To Fly or Not to Fly? Snowy Winter Sports Summer Abroad Intenational Student Interview
regulars Health Monthly Timeline Cartoons
Contributors Editor Natalie Coupar Assistant Editor Beth Shackley Current Affairs Editor Jo McIntyre Features Editor Ross Barrow Travel Editor Kirsty Fergusson Fashion Editor Liz O’Hara Entertainments Editor Ruth Hunter Sports and Societies Editor Barry Davidson Finance Director Adam McVey Contributors Rory Martin Michelle Travers Nicola Brown Henrietta Evans Ruth Hunter Matt Simmonds Neil Cant Alistair Bell Nicola Bell Laura Bouch Henrietta Evans Jordan Dunbar Adam McVey Seonaid Rogers
This months Magdalen sees us interview numerous bands/ artists as well as a write up on the “West African Connection.” Gary Cocker and Craig Kelly also take us on a hysterical ride with their, erm, journey with Ryanmare. The travel section this month look at thebest places to go skiing and a further look at Ryanair.
Finally, this is my last issue as Editor and I’d like to say a massive thank you to everyone who has helped this project grow. Special thanks go to Graeme Thewliss, VPC, who has put up with crazy deadlines and even worse mood swings.
The Magdalen itself has been a busy bee creating a rather wonderful Facebook page which allows you the reader to tag yourself in pictures, get involved in debate and of course, join our team. Be sure to check us out by searching The Magdalen.
Kind Regards,
I wish the best of luck to the next Magdalen Editor and hope you all keep reading Dundee Universities best Fashion this month take us to a fashion show and student magazine! show us how to save rather splurge our earnings.
Natalie Coupar Editor n.coupar@dundee.ac.uk
Word Of The Month:
PECUNIARY
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\pih-KYOO-nee-air-ee\ , adjective; 1. Relating to money; monetary. 2. Consisting of money. 3. Requiring payment of money.
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Recycle your copy of The Magdalen
the monthly timeline. 1st January – 2010 Begins! For some this may connote the last semester OF YOUR LIVES, for others, just a whole lot more studying and drinking!
jan-feb
7th January: Britain braces itself for coldest night yet as the “Big Freeze ensues.”
8th January: It’s revealed in the media that MP Iris Robinson has been having an affair with 21 year old Kirk McCambley. Her husband Peter Robinson, Northern Irelands first minister , reveals he is distraught at the news.
January 12th: An earthquake measuring 7 on the Richter Scale causes disruption in Haiti. Tens of thousands are claimed dead as charities from across the globe attempt to co-ordinate relief effots. 19th January: In rejects a deal by the International Atomic Energy Agency to exchange low-enriched Uraniam for nuclear fuel.
22nd January: Home secretary Alan Johnson announces the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre has raised the terrorist threat level from “substantial” to “severe.” It was also stressed that the threat from terrorism was not iminent.
27th January: Steve Jobs unveils the Apple iPad, a tablet PC, at a conference in San Francisco.
1st February: Secretary of State, Hilary Clinton, presses China to back sanctions on Iran against its nuclear program.
20th January: A 6.1 magnitude aftershock rocks Haiti a week after the first Earthquake.
25th January: Taioseach Brian Cowen and Prime Minister Gordon Brown meet at Downing Street to discuss the devolution deadlock in Northern Ireland.
news : campus Dundee University to Support Food Security The University of Dundee has been awarded £350,000 to help train the next generation of crop breeders. The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) have provided the funding to support students on the new MRes ‘Crops for the Future’ postgraduate masters course. The grant will nominally support 18 one-year studentships between 2010 and 2013. Food security has been become an increasingly important issue in global politics and the race to find technologies to combat food shortages has become vital in the fight against global hunger.
Rector Elections By the time this edition of The Magdalen is in circulation, the new Rector of the University of Dundee will have been announced. At the time of going to print, Brian Cox, Nikolai Zhelev and Robin Harper had been announced as candidates. The Magdalen would like to wish the successful candidate good luck in their endeavours and hope that they support the students in their ongoing fights against all university cuts. Craig Murray, the previous Rector, served as Rector to the University of Dundee since 2007 and was known for his lively character and blog, which arguably held little back from the public domain. We also wish him success for the future and thank him for supporting students throughout his time as Rector.
DUSA TV
Strategic Review
Dundee student Jordan Dunbar and alumni Martin Gribbon have encountered great success in their efforts to create DUSATV. The Youtube channel has a number of videos which document student nightlife in the Union and reveal a number of embarrassing exposés in the process! The two students deserve recognition for what has been a very successful year for Dundee University student media. Having received local press coverage and hits in their hundreds, DUSATV has fast become an integral part of student life. Jordan revealed that the pair were working alongside students to create a drama similar to the O.C. Named “Skint,” the drama promises to have all the glamour of its American cohorts with the added edge of nicely positioned in Dundee.
There has been no further news on the Strategic Review which was the central feature in last months The Magdalen. It has been rumoured that the Principal and his cohorts are awaiting the results of the General Election, due to take place in May. In late January, Dundee University announced it was dropping its Post Grad teacher training course in Home Economics due to changing Scottish Government funding allowances. We are asking students to remain vigilant in the face of further cuts and hope that the StrategicReview faces full consultation by both students and academics.
Dundee Uni Haiti Efforts The horrific Haiti earthquake which occurred on Tuesday 12th of January 2010 claimed the lives of thousands. Efforts in Dundee have seen students form a campaign group in order to raise money towards the UNICEF appeal for donations to help victims. For further information on the efforts of the Dundee campaign group, contact Niall on N.McGoldrick@dundee. ac.uk.
Scotlands First Cancer Research Centre Opens
Scotlands first Cancer Research UK centre will be based in Ninewells, it was announced on the 4th of February. The centre will bring together experts from the NHS, Ninewells and Dundee University, with the charity contributing more than £7.5m a year to the project. The centre will aim to focus on researching the most serious form of skin cancer, melanoma.
School President Elections
Dundee University Number Eight In UK
School President Elections also took place early in February. The role of the School President varies from school to school but generally involves being an active member on the Student Representative Council, attending meetings relative to ones school and representing your school at various levels. It is understood on campus that School Presidents are necessary in order to provide better communication between schools and lecturers.
The annual Times Higher Education Survey of more than 11,000 undergraduates ranked Dundee eighth for best student experience. Going up a total of four places on last year, DUSA President Andrew Smith commented; ““This is fantastic news and is a great reflection of the student experience at Dundee and the hard work put in by people in all departments of the campus.”
news : local & national Dundee Student Opens Café >Ross Barrow
Alex Salmond In Sell-Off Shock
a “rogue state.” The results of the inquiry are due to be published in 2011, to the anger of the opposition party. The inquiry continues.
A second year Architecture student, Peter Clarke, and his wife Kristina have opened the Tea Leaves and Coffee (TLC) café on the Perth Road. Undeterred by the recession, Peter and Kristina opened TLC in midJanuary; attracting tea and coffee loving students returning to Dundee after the Christmas break. TLC is a café with a difference. It is one of the first cafes in Britain, and the first in Dundee to offer red espresso; a product containing ‘5X more antioxidants than green tea.’ In fact, Peter and Kristina offer seventeen different types of tea. One particularly interesting type is the Rose Flower Blossom, which blossoms when steeped in hot water). But it’s not just tea that they offer. A high quality range of fairtrade organic coffees are on offer, from the simple Americano to the appetising Mocha. And as far as cakes are concerned; TLC have it covered! Alison, (from the Yellow Door Bakery) bakes wonderfully tasty cakes for them every morning. (The sticky toffee is my particular favourite). Similarly, their delicious sandwiches are delivered fresh from a local independent sandwich maker.
Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond has been tied up in allegations of having “soldoff” lunches with supporters in an attempt to drum up financial support for the upcoming SNP election campaign. Scottish Labour Leader Iain Gray dubbed such behaviour as “grubby,” arguing that the first ministers attempt to sell off lunches and dinners shows that the First Minister has no respect for the integrity of office. The First Minister and the “cash-for-access” row has deepened when it emerged that Deputy Minister Nicola Sturgeon auctioned off a tour of Holyrood for £260. Despite the recession, Peter told me that they had little trouble securing a bank loan. Mr Salmond is now facing an official When conducting their business plan, Peter enquiry to ascertain whether his behaviour and Kristina counted the numbers of people was in breach of an MSP’s code of conduct. passing by the premises every day, to get an idea of how busy the area was. “As long as you approach the bank with a well thought through idea you are likely to be successful. My advice would be, go for it.” TLC is open Monday to Friday from 8AM until 6PM, and on a Saturday from 10AM4PM. But TLC may close later than this; if people are in, they won’t be thrown out. And what’s more, if you show your student I.D. card, you can bag yourself 10% off all drinks. So why not give it a try? I’m glad I did!
Ex-PM Appears At Iraq Inquiry
The long awaited Irag enquiry was officially launched on the 30th July 2009. Its mandate was to uncover what happened from 2001 - 2009, whether troops were properly prepared and if the reasons for going to war were substantially backed up with evidence that posed reasonable proof that Iraq was harbouring weapons of mass destruction. In recent weeks the inquiry has heard from former Foreign Secretary Jack Straw and ex No 10 Communications Director Alastair Campbell. The former Prime Minister, Tony Blair appeared before the Chilcot Panel on the 29th January, announcing that he had “no regrets” from removing Saddam Hussein from power. The Iraq war divided the nation in 2001 onwards due to conflicting opinion over Iraq’s status as
Winter Exposes Government’s Lack of Grit Recent weather if one has failed to notice has been a bit on the chilly side. Through satellites we have been able to see Britain covered from tip to toe in snow. This particularly unusual occurrence has been unseen for over 30 years. Yet, here in Britain it has sparked a minicrisis with salt supplies being depleted with many councils being unprepared for the weather. Government has had to hold a special ‘Salt Summit’ to deal with the problems of the wintery weather. Transport Secretary Lord Adonis has reportedly said that we need to reduce salt use on the roads by ‘at least 25pc’ with even further measures on the way. It has of course has affected us all with travel disruption being at least one inconvenience to our daily lives. However, making the most of the weather has not been easy either. An outdoor curling competition The Grand Match, planned for the Lake of Menteith near Aberfoyle, would have been the first event of its kind for more than 30 years. But it had to be cancelled due to the emergency services being unable to guarantee the potential 2000 spectators safety. Furthermore, with pavements left ungritted Health and Safety experts have warned that any residents and businesses that clear them will at risk of legal action.
news : international Ukraine Presidential Elections
At the time of going to print, Ukranian exit polls show that opposition leader Viktor Yanukovych (pictured below) has won the Presidential election. If such figures prove to be true, this would prove a remarkable feat by the opposition leader who was swept aside by the Orange Revoltion some five years ago. On the international stage, Yanukovych differs from current President Tymoschenko in the sense that his foreign policies are pro-Russian.
Haiti Effort Continues On the 12th of January, 2010, Haiti was hit a major earthquake measuring 7 on the Richter Scale. The earthquake occurred some 25KM from the capital Port-au-Prince. By the 24th of January, some 52 aftershocks measuring around 4.2 or above have been recorded in the region. On 3rd February the Prime Minister of Haiti, Jean-Max Bellerive announced that 200,000 people had been pronounced dead and a further 300,000 were being treated for injuries. The damaged cause to local infrastructure has been horrific, reducing Haiti to tumultuous scenes of rubble and havoc. Countries from around the world have donated aid in forms of money, ambulances, food and medical staff amongst much more. On the 23rd of January the Haitian government officially called off the search for survivors. For many in Haiti the worst is still to come as many attempt to rebuild their lives without loved ones, shelter or food. The Magdalen urges you to give whatever you can at www.dec.org.uk
Connecticut Explosion Casualties
A large explosion occurred at a power plant under construction in Middletown, Connecticut on February 7th. At the time of going to print, police authorities did not have a definite number of casualities but did expect a large number of deaths from the incident. Around 100 people were working at the plant at the time of the explosion, with witnessing commenting that black smoke could be seen for miles.
Johnson to Slash Foreign Student Visa Numbers Alan Johnson, the Home Secretary, is to unveil a range of new measures which ban students from bringing in dependants, ensure such students speak better English on arrival and cut down the amount of hours they work during term time. It is beleived that such new rules will cut international student numbers to the UK by tens of thousands. In an age where we facing more and more cuts due to lack of funding, it can be argued that cutting the numbers if international students cannot be a positive thing.
Iranian Nuclear Sanctions Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad recenty gave instructions for the production of higher grade nuclear reactor fuel, leading the US and Germany to target further sanctions against Tehran. Iran has continually said that its program is to make electricity and not, as suspected by the US and others, to make a nuclear bomb. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has been continual talks with the Iranian government, who have traditional been in support of global disarmament. An Iranian Goverment spokesman announced recently that Iran intended to hold a conference on nuclear disarmament in May in Tehran.
Karachi Violence Ensues Pakistan is facing heavy financial losses due to a recent spate of attacks on its financial hub of Karachi. Bomb attacks targeting Shiite Muslims have killed over 76 people in the past few weeks as violence returns to Karachi with devastating results. In the past, Karachi has been spared the worst of the two year long Islamist bombing campaign, yet has been targetted through kidnappings and crime. The funds made from such crime and kidnappings have been directed towards campaigns in the North-West and Afghanistan, argue some AFP analysts. The economic work conducted in Karachi counts for more than 45% of Pakistans GDP. IThe analyst for AFP went on to comment; ““Karachi has been spared of terrorism and violence for a long time and was contributing massively to the country’s weak economy, but now the plotters want to completely cripple Pakistan’s economy by attacking our port city.”
opinion: multiculturalism Multiculturalism: The issue of multiculturalism and the future that it holds for the UK is a massive issue within UK politics and society. The impending election seems to have pushed the issue once again into the foreground. At last years Conservative party conference shadow home secretary Dominic Grieve warned that multiculturalism has left a “terrible” legacy and has allowed extremist groups to flourish. More recently UKIP called for the UK to ban burka’s and other face- covering veils worn by some Muslim woman with ex-UKIP leader stating that they were a symbol of an “increasingly divided Britain”. However despite these accusations that multiculturalism is something to fear and is the cause of a deep divide within the UK, a recent BBC survey found that the majority of people believe multiculturalism makes the UK a better place to live. So are the critics of multiculturalism right to fear what the future holds for multicultural Britain or are they simply the standing in the way of progress and trying to provoke and divide that simply isn’t there? It has been argued that racist bulling in schools is rising, racially motivated violence is increasing and far right parties such as the BNP are gaining support. The idea that the UK is heading for a multicultural clash doesn’t seem too far fetched. Some would argue that an increase in the recording of racial bullying and violence is simply down to better policing and people no longer tolerating so called ‘casual racism’. Large scale racial violence and a breakdown in race relations is what many claim will happen if immigration continues at its current rate. For example violence erupted in Birmingham last year when the members of the English Defense League (EDL) staged a protest against Islam which was met by anger from the Muslim community who
staged a counter protest. Around 80 people were arrested at the riot. Such incidents are easily picked up and used as examples of mass racial tension. The fear of such events becoming widespread and commonplace is one which is easily preyed upon by politicians seeking to gain support. However for such incidences to become widespread racially antagonistic groups such as the English Defense League would have to gain massive membership. At the
moment although no one is sure how many members the EDL has their protests remain relatively small with normally only a few hundred attending. Therefore the future of multicultural Britain is dependant on the views of the masses. Despite organisations such as EDL having little support many fear racist parties such as the British National Party are poised to gain greater support. The BNP were formed in the 1980s and until recently were dismissed as being a racist and aggressive organisation. A recent survey found that one in five Britons would consider voting for the BNP due to anger over immigration policies. At the 2009 European elections they gained 6% of the vote indicating a rise
in support. However many accuse the BNP of simply benefitting from voter apathy with turnout at the European election being only 34.7%. Simply blaming voter apathy does not dismiss the fact that the BNP’s support is rising. This for many people is the more worrying trend. Although the majority of British people support multiculturalism it would seem that those who don’t feel marginalised and as a result are willing to support a party who also paint themselves as the hard done by ordinary man. The fear invoked by image of extremists lurking in the background of our day to day lives and waiting to strike is obvious. However extremist thinkers and philosophers have long been able to find sanctuary in the UK even when barred from their own countries. For example during the Victorian era Marx wrote Das Kapital, Lenin walked the streets of east London and Bakunin and Peter Kropotkin formulated the beginnings of anarchist theory. Much later French intelligence services dubbed our capital as Londonistan due to how free radical Islamists were to set up camp here. However since then the threat of terrorism has been high in the public consciousness especially with the government recently raising the terror alert level to severe meaning they believe an attack is highly likely. This fear has been able to be exploited by extremist groups who seem to be trying to link a fear of terrorism to multiculturalism. It would seem that Britain is suffering a split but not between races but rather between those who appreciate the mix of cultures 21st centaury Britain has become and those who fear it. Are we heading for a massive culture clash or as Enoch Powell put it “rivers of blood” or are we heading to a future in which multiculturalism is a celebrated and accepted part of our country?
Noun S: (n) multiculturalism (the doctrine that several different cultures (rather than one national culture) can coexist peacefully and equitably in a single country)
infocus: west african connection West African Connection >Emily Kane
A study published on January 13th 2010 by the European Heart Journal revealed that out of 668 sudden deaths, 21 (3.1%) were found to be cocaine related. The research, conducted in Seville, South West Spain took place over a period of 3 years. That 3.1%, although a seemingly marginal figure, is a story in itself. All male, averaging an age of 34, the 21 cocaine related sudden deaths reveal the extent of Europe’s growing cocaine habit.
Such reports can only offer a vague account of the true level of cocaine consumption in the worldwide market, which due to increased globalisation and fast improving technologies has fuelled both supply and demand for the “White Lady.”
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) released its annual World Drug Report in March 2009, with figures showing that cocaine seizures and purity rates were falling in Europe. Yet the same report revealed that Europe was responsible for 11% of global cocaine seizures with Spain reporting the largest figures in Europe (11%). The same report also stressed that the reader take caution as law enforcement agencies encounter higher risk of “double-counting” due in part to the increased co-operation of law enforcement agencies across the globe.
“How far can this
The European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) 2009 annual report cited a number of reasons why Europe’s cocaine habit is seemingly on the rise. South American cocaine traffickers may be searching for alternative markets and due to the strengthening of European currencies may have found it profitable to target European consumers.
neo-colonialist agenda go in its quest for total control over the activities of all nation states?”
Another reason for increased consumption can be found in the development of new trafficking routes which pose less of a threat to narco-traffickers. Although figures may show that seizures in Europe are declining, the UNODC report also revealed an unprecedented rise in seizures in West Africa. In 2007, 6,458 kg were seized by policing authorities – a rise over twofold the previous year. This particular route – known as the West African connection – has vexed many a politician in the past decade. As sensationalist reports continue to link the Hezbollah to Colombians FARC rebels and in some cases even al-Qaeda to Hezbollah, it is important to establish whether terrorist organisations are casting aside their beliefs in order to compete (and undoubtedly profit) in the global drugs market. So what is the “West African Connection?” What implications are there for Western African countries such as Morocco, Senegal, Ghana, Mauritania, Guinnea-Bissau, Sierra-Leone, Liberia? In a world where global heavyweights such as the US set the agenda on international drug policy and
terrorism, will West Africa soon feature high on what seems to be the “hit-list” of the Western world?
In December, Antonio Maria Costa (executive director of UNODC, pictured right) speaking to a Special Session of the United Nations Security Council said that: “In the past Africa, already suffering from other tragedies, never had a drug problem. Today, under attack from several sides, the continent is facing a severe and complex drug problem: not only drug trafficking, but also production and consumption.” On January 28th 2010, the American journal Family Security Matters featured a startling headline arguing that the emerging “Emerging West African Terror-Drug Nexus Poses Major Security Threat.” Undoubtedly, the notoriously unstable nations in West Africa are the perfect victim for narcotraffickers. Poor judicial and policing infrastructures, prevalent poverty and a lack of strong governance provide the perfect cocktail for exploitation. Yet, are we aiding the problem by feeding the fear of Western nations who are at the will of the media, a media intent on exploiting the culture of fear manifested in our daily rags and twitter feeds? Internationally recognised terrorist organisations such as al-Qaeda, its franchise al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) have long been suspected of working together in various narcotrafficking rings in West Africa. In September 2009, three men from Mali were charged on two counts by the U.S attorney for the South District of New York. A sealed complaint revealed the extent to which the three parties had co-operated in an attempt to traffic cocaine to America and Europe and furthermore, to fund the efforts of the various terrorist organisations involved. The detailed report, lead by DEA officials who had fronted a covert operation for a number of years in countries such as Mali, contains numerous discussions held between agents and various members of
FARC, AQIM and al-Qaeda. In particular, conversations between a confidential source referred to as CS-1 and a facilitator later known as Oumar Issa were recorded and used as evidence. These discussions exposed an intricate al-Qaeda network capable of kidnap, narco-trafficking and fraud. Journalist Marco Vernaschi reported in the Virginia Quarterly Review 2010 about events that had taken place in the West African country of Guinea-Bissau in the wake of the assassination of its President in March 2009. It had become apparent that West Africa’s first “narco-state” had begun to feel the forays of the drug-terror nexus. Reports from Interpol also noted that Hezbollah were – and still are – becoming increasingly reliant on profits from cocaine and heroin trafficking. They too have been linked to the FARC movement. Grazing the surface of this emerging network of crime and terror only allows us an infinitesimal account of the true state of affairs in West Africa and the implications that these burgeoning routes will have upon the defence doctrines of European countries in years to come. Most fearfully, as Europe and her friends from across the pond begin to dip their toes in the borders of Yemen – testing the water for potential terrorists – we have to wonder, how far can
this neo-colonialist agenda go in its quest for total control over all nation states? For now, the countries of West Africa wait. Safe in the knowledge that before them in the queue are a long list of Middle Eastern narco-states and terrorist proponents, they have no immediate fear of retribution. For now, the countries of West Africa, from Mali to Morocco to Ghana and Guinea-Bissau, can only hope that they gain support from the international stage in developing measures which repudiate narco-traffickers who associate themselves with “antiAmerican” terrorists.
Further Reading: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/ aug/27/drugstrade.drugsandalcohol http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/ news/world/africa/article5818191.ece http://www.familysecuritymatters.org/ publications/id.5374/pub_detail.asp
representation: Student Representative Council
Last SRC saw yet more societies take the plunge into the DUSA affiliation family. The Humanities social committee, The Kazakhstan Society, The Swing Society and the Life Sciences Society all became eligible to apply for DUSA funds. The SRC also passed a motion in support of the disaster in Haiti, brought by Niall McGoldrick, and passed a motion to support Muslims on campus and to stand against all forms of Islamaphobia and racism, brought by the Islamic Society.
Our very own Magdalen brought its reciprocal agreement to council but the agreement was deferred until the council had time to work on amendments.
set a date of the 1st and 2nd of April to hold the vote. The SRC agreed to set up a committee to set the conditions of the election, those conditions will be approved at the next council’s session.
The Council ran out of time to grill the executive on their activities of the last three weeks due a motion on the NUS. After a very long discussion the SRC voted 14-9 to call a referendum on joining the National Union of Students. After rejecting the same date as the Executive elections, the council
How Representation Works
Student Representatives
University Structures
DUSA Executive
Students Representative Council (SRC)
Services & Facilities Subcommittee
Learning & Teaching Subcommittee
Court, Senate and their Committees
College Boards
School Boards
School Staff-Student Liaison Committees School Presidents
Class / module Representatives
The Student Body
• Informal feedback to staff • Module feedback surveys • National Student Surveys (NSS) • Programme Review Panels • Hall Committees
feature: our black thursday with ryanmare Craig Kelly and Gary Cocker just didn’t have much luck this month - why? Oh, just a wee company sometimes known as RYANMARE... The night before your holiday, most people find their passport and finish packing before happily jetting off with a decent airline. Craig and Gary are not most people, and Ryanair are not a decent airline. The cautionary tale provided below only goes to prove the old adage that if you pay peanuts, you’re gonna get monkeys. CRAIG: Suffering with what felt like a stroke, I swore once more as I woke up never to trust Gary when he told me it’d be a quiet night at the Union. After fleeing round the flat stuffing clothes into a bag and destroying my room in search of that elusive passport I phoned Gary who is always the organised one. This time, however, a cagey voice eventually answered the phone and grunted that he’d see me soon. GARY: After some unwelcome phone calls interrupted my entirely ‘innocent’ sleep, I grabbed my bag and headed into town with Craig with a spring in my step. The caffeine crash eventually hit us both around about the time we realised our barking mad pilledup bus driver was auditioning for Formula 1. Having managed to reduce me into adopting the foetal position, we emerged at Edinburgh Airport believing the worst of it to be behind us. CRAIG : Not the best start, but at least it wouldn’t be long until we
were in cultural Barcelona. What this ignored, however, was no frills airline Ryanair’s impressive ability to shaft everything up. After taking out a mortgage to afford coffee to stop me from morphing into Malcolm Tucker, we make it through security in spite of my quip about my similarities to the shoe bomber. GARY: After making sure I kept my
considering the price, Ryanair declare that the flight is now cancelled. No explanation, no refund – just instruction to book another flight online. GARY: At this point, I was very glad that airport security prevented Craig from possessing any sharp objects. With Ryanair’s reputation, having nobody on their desk can’t be said to have come as a surprise. As a Scotsman, their no-compensation policy was, and was compounded by paying £20 for a train back home with nothing to look at except Craig and the People’s Republic of Fife. CRAIG: By this stage Gary looks like he might cry and puts his headphones in, looking pretty dejected. I can’t even look out the window because it’s dark; even if it wasn’t, who wants to see Fife? Then my phone vibrates with an
unsolicited message from my ex informing me “you are a selfish c*nt!” Seriously, I mean, seriously.
distance from Craig in case Special Branch added me to the terror watch list as well, we emerge through the gate. As we saw the Departures Board, Craig‘s response of “What the *&%£ do you mean a four and a half delay?!” was surprisingly measured for him. CRAIG: For Gary’s safety, I think we made the right decision by leaving the departure lounge when I realised I wouldn’t be able to smoke for 9 hours. After 8 hours and while waiting for our dinner, which better have been made by Jesus
GARY: When I eventually stumbled back into my flat at midnight, my camp flatmate was singing along to Glee on Sky+. It was then I became aware there is no God. No matter what happens this year we will always look back and know nothing could compare to ‘Black Thursday’.
travel: HE RS T COVE O FLY? N U N T NOT USSO FERG O FLY OR Y T S KS: T R KIR of like using the local grocer rather DITO IR AND AS E L E RAV ANA than the superstore, as they provide T Y R R T OU ABOU employment in more rural areas and H T U TR
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Students have gained many stereotypes, and as far as travel is concerned the stereotypical desire to experience new cultures - and drink a lot of Genuine Belgian Stella Artois from the mini-bottles - goes hand-in-hand with the all too familiar student stereotype...we’re all completely skint. Enter the budget airline as the intrepid student traveller’s saviour. Michael O’Leary’s airline Ryanair has attracted so much press this past year that it’s hard to know whether it’s ethical to fly with them, even with the tempting discounted prices advertised. It’s well-known that the deals offered by the airline often turn out to be exaggerated once you add on extras and airport tax - but is this the worst of our worries? Recent documentaries have highlighted the fact that Ryanair are pocketing profit not only through smart cutbacks such as re-using aeroplanes as often as possible rather than owning a huge fleet, but also by sneakily hiring agency staff rather than taking on permanent staff members, and by refusing to negotiate with base airports on the terms of their contracts. They also strive to use smaller, less central airports which can be inconvenient for the traveller. On the other hand, these small airports are also kind
generally have fewer chain stores inside. One could argue that this is better than heading for an airport that uses enough electricity to power a small country and grabbing a methane-gas enhancing Big Mac on the way to your flight with an airline that are probably profiting just as much as Ryanair are, and working their staff just as hard. Is Michael O’Leary a working-class hero for not negotiating with the airports, or a power hungry business man looking to exploit them? There’s a complete mix of positive and negative comments on the issue; however the hoards of customers that fly Ryanair every year prove that the public appear to favour a good deal over ethics! The issue for students is that often Ryanair does often work out to be the cheapest option, even after adding on baggage cost and airport transfers, and it’s hard to decide whether they truly deserve to be avoided. My stance is this – be a smart traveller and respect the environment by only travelling by any aircraft as infrequently you can. If you can afford to check-in with what may be a slightly more ethical airline then do so, and if not, I don’t feel that the current evidence against Ryanair is hard-hitting enough to
miss your trip over. That said, we cannot ignore the fact that they may be cutting corners by using agency staff; however there are plenty of small businesses that students frequent daily that pay foreign staff poorer wages, so perhaps just to boycott Ryanair due to what we see in the media is slightly hypocritical. Hopefully our degrees will enable us to enter jobs that pay enough for us to avoid such airlines in the future, but as students it’s very difficult to gain valuable life experience when other airlines fees are so high. It is my opinion that the high-profiting businesses sending their staff on frequent and unnecessary flights with cheap airlines are the people who should revise their stance, not the infrequent student flyer. It is definitely advisable to check out prices on all airlines so that you get the best deal every time, and don’t pander to Ryanair’s so-called Machiavellian tendencies. Check out my tips below to make sure you don’t get a raw deal...
6 TIPS TO BEAT RYANAIR AND STILL GET YOUR HOLIDAY! • When booking, go to the very last page of the process to find out EXACTLY what the flights cost, and then make sure there isn’t a better deal out there. • Don’t check your baggage and avoid the extortionate charges. A Tesco Value suitcase measuring the maximum handluggage measurements will cost you just £15. Pack light! Deducting the £15 spent on a suitcase from Ryanair’s £35 each way baggage charges you’ll save £55 and walk away with a new suitcase.
• Eat before you get on the plane! No student wants to pay mega-bucks for a crap sandwich or a microwaved burger. If their expensive menu prices are majorly boycotted and consequently lowered, perhaps the sales pressure put on staff will be less cringeworthy for all. • Use a Visa Electron card to pay for your flights to avoid the £5 debit/credit card handling fee.
• Not to sound like your mother, but if the so-called ‘pay-to-pee’ charges are approved - go before you board and don’t drink ten cans of Carlsberg from the onflight bar. • Here’s an interesting idea...check out the price of the train instead...Eurostar do some surprisingly good deals. Jetting through the French countryside on a super-efficient European train is definitely more interesting than watching clouds, and taking the train is far more environmentally friendly.
travel: VOLUNTEER ABROAD THIS SUMMER FYI: VOLUNTEER
There are thousands of companies which offer volunteering placements all around the world, whether it is: animal conservation, community work, building houses or teaching English. Each company will charge different rates and will have different conditions. It is good advice to go with a company who have a good reputation as there are many companies who will take your money without actually holding up their side of the deal like providing a placement and accommodation for you. There are so many companies that it can be difficult to know which ones are reputable from the ones that will leave you stranded on the other side of the world! Here’s a little heads up for those of you who haven’t been travelling before and fancy trying out a volunteering programme with one of the many companies in the future!
I-I ut since 1994 and their I-to-i has been kicking abo rantee you some form experience alone should gua that everyone on their of quality control. They claim r or volunteer (so they team is a former backpacke ng) have a range of should know what they’re doi Africa, Australasia and different placements in Asia, anised and do everything Latin America. I-to-I are org you sign up to one of their which they claim to do when y arrange airport pick up for programmes. The compan a day to acclimatise to the you and allow you to have unteers - all necessary “tocountry with your fellow vol . After the introduction day do’s” before starting any trip ices; you make your own you are left to your own dev your placement location and way on public transport to
l put into it yourself. I-to-I wil you make your trip what you er mb me -i i-to rmation for an supply you with contact info ng but other than that you wro s of staff if anything goe . The only limitation I would are free to do as you please a charitable company, so the mention is that i-to-i is not with receive none of the projects which you volunteer you is even more incentive for money which you pay. This eer unt vol r you rt when you sta to help as much as possible ich wh y pan anised com programme. It is a good, org voidable experience. Last una and guarantees a unique h i-to-i, one in Costa Rica and year I did two placements wit uld re absolutely amazing, I wo one in Honduras – both we pany. definitely recommend this com
REAL GAP
Real-Gap has over 250 pro jects in 49 countries around the world. They also offer numerous projects, fro m teaching English to trying out advent ure sports. Real Gap has co-ordinator s in each country. This summer I we nt to Vietnam with Real Gap and found that they weren’t as organised as i-to-i. Our co-ordinator was a young Vie tnamese man who didn’t speak much English
PROJECTS ABROAD gap year They are one of the oldest e been going companies out there and hav ich they offer since 1992. The projects wh ive of the are definitely the most extens panies. On majority of other gap year com ching tea top of conservation, care and dical, me , you can also go on journalism an hum rights veterinary, archaeology and
and didn’t know what was going on most of the time. Personally I mu ch preferred this, he was such a dude, his stories were epic and his poor Englis h just added to the experience! It was a more authentic experience becaus e it was unorganised and there were no plans to follow. I would definitely rec ommend real gap.
of countries placements in a vast number y is a good pan com around the world. This travel with mix to nt one to go for if you wa better than ch mu is work experience (which doing work UK the in being stuck in an office of good reports experience). I have heard lots initely one to from this company, so it’s def . ing eer unt consider for future vol
s t s t r r o p o p S S r e r t e t n i n Wi W
travel:
>Michelle Travers
It’s freezing cold outside and we have had the best snow for years so we thought it was appropriate to write this month’s article on skiing and snowboarding, as it’s just a bit too soon to be talking about sunshine and summer holidays just yet. As it’s still peak season for riding the slopes we thought we would find out some inside information and tips to the best resorts to go to around the world. I managed to interview a former member of the Great Britain snowboard team to find out the top resorts to visit for skiing and snowboarding in Europe and North America.
Europe • “In Europe there is so much choice it’s hard to know where to start so I’ll just name a few: In Austria Mayerhofen.” The beautiful Valley is home to a number of ski areas totalling 625kms all on one lift pass! There is a huge variety of terrain to explore depending on your ability. But it is the nightlife in this resort which makes it stand out: “for how many times I’ve got wasted in Scotland Yard (the bar) it’s an awesome place to hang out after a day on the slopes”.
• “In France let’s say Chamonix just because it rocks.” Chamonix has more challenging slopes than many other European resorts. The runs are steep, high and long. If you are a good skier this is definitely the place to go as it will provide a challenge and gets your adrenaline pumping overtime. • “Switzerland there are a few ‘fashionable’ and famous resorts but unless you’re image conscious you get a much better and cheaper experience in other European countries. St Moritz and Davos/Klosters are amazing resorts but as I said they are very expensive. I’d go back to Saas Fee or anywhere in the Portes Du Soleil (which means doors to the sun - an area on the French/Swiss border which includes a bunch of nice resorts) in an instant though.”
“Fuel your adrenaline!” North America • “The most well-known resort in Canada would be Whistler/Blackcombe, BC, for good reason - extensive terrain covering two separate mountains now linked by a MONDO
cable car including several fun-parks and half pipes for all abilities. Other highlights include a Glacier at the top of Blackcombe and the legendary Flute bowl on Whistler.” • “America is probably home to all top ten snow parks (jumps,halfpipes, rails etc) in the world but as for narrowing it down to a few I’d go back to.... For everything -Lake Tahoe, California/Nevada border. It’s comprised of several different areas, loads of choice, loads of parks, and lots of trees to ride. But for legendary Backcountry terrain and unlimited possibilities I’d recommend Jackson Hole, Wyoming.” The skiing here is most suited to competent skiers; although there are smaller slopes for beginners. To really get the most out of this resort you should take advantage of the steep slopes and fun parks. It sounds like there are some amazing resorts in Europe and North America which if you are a keen skier or snowboarder are definitely worth a visit. Europe is more known for its outstanding natural beauty and extensive terrain, whereas North America have invested in fun-parks, jumps and half pipes to fuel the adrenaline of any good skier/ snowboarder.
travel: CROSS-CULTURAL ENCOUNTER
first year ma international business student eunyi choi from south korea is interviewed by kirsty fergusson about her experiences at dundee university and her home country
What is your favourite place in Scotland and why? “Dundee! It’s so small but everything you need is right here – the space is well used!”
What has been your top experience in Scotland so far? ““Starting University and meeting lots of new friends here in Dundee – and the Student’s Union of course!”
What’s your opinion on Dundee - Fundee or Scumdee!? “Definitely Fundee!” Tell me something fascinating about your home country.
“The most fascinating thing about South Korea is its uniqueness. Both its landscape and history are really unique - the Korean people have been through a lot.” What would you recommend visiting in your home country? “The shopping malls! People come from Japan just to shop in South Korea as the malls and shopping streets are so fantastic. You should also visit some of the many beautiful Buddhist temples in and around the capital city of Seoul, and some of the old emperor’s buildings and fortresses.” What is your favourite traditional dish from home? “Korean spicy rice cakes. They’re made from sticky rice with spicy sauce and taste amazing. I would give you the name in Korean but it’s quite difficult for the English tongue to master!”
If you could bring one thing to Scotland from your home country wouldfood it be? “Definitely the food, what South Korean is really healthy and tasty.”
Have you tried Haggis yet?! “I haven’t but my flatmate was telling me about Robert Burns Night so maybe I will soon!”
health: Giving Blood WHY YOU SHOULD AND WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW >Beth Shackley
I
n Bonar Hall on Tuesday 2nd March 2010, you have the opportunity to donate blood conveniently between 12pm and 4pm. If the notion of giving up a part of your being unnerves you, hopefully the facts about giving blood will calm your fears. Firstly the human body contains approximately 10 pints of blood and the amount taken is just under a single pint (482ml).
F-E-A-R Speaking from personal experience, I was always wary of the notion of extreme pain, however following a long internet session with www. scotblood.co.uk, I realised this amazing fact: YOU CAN HAVE A LOCAL ANAESTHETIC. That is, if you so request it and are as pathetic as me. I fainted once from a blood test (a solitary syringe of blood) for glandular fever about three years ago – this was designed for people like me. Now even the weaklings have no excuse not to give blood.
TOP TEN USES FOR DONATED BLOOD
Having given blood, all tests are carried out and it will be ready for patients within 48 hours. In preparation, it is split up into three main parts – red blood cells, plasma and cryoprecipitate and platelets, therefore your blood will transfused into three different people with very different needs – magical!
General surgery: 23%. General medical: 15%. Cardiothoracic (heart and chest surgery): 13%. Orthopaedics (bones and bone diseases): 11%. Haematology (blood diseases): 9%. Accident and emergency: 8%. Renal (kidney disorders): 6%. Neonatal and paediatrics: 6%. Intensive care: 4%. Obstetrics and gynaecology (pregnancy and childbirth): 3.5%.
TICKING THE BOXES You can donate blood as long as you are over 17, not taking any long-term medications, have not had surgery, a piercing or tattoo in the 12 months prior, and you are over 7st 12lbs. In addition to this, do not give blood if you have had a virus or infection within a month the prospective blood-giving. It is also stipulated that if you at risk from HIV or hepatitis you must not donate (we shall ignore the obvious difficulties and assumptions surrounding this. Fret not, dear readers; I shall save my equality rant for another article). Giving blood is without a doubt a good, moral and selfless deed to do, so politics disregarded, everyone should rush to Bonar Hall in approximately a month.
CONTACT Visit www.scotblood.co.uk to find out more about donating blood in Scotland. If you are also an English/Welsh resident, check out www.blood.co.uk Northern Irish check www.nibts.org
BLOODY FACTS Only three teaspoons worth of blood can save the life of a premature baby Only 4% of the population of the UK gives blood In 1666, the first blood transfusion took place (on an animal). It was documented by Samuel Pepys’ diaries. In 1818 the first human blood transfusions were given by Dr J Blundell to mothers following difficult childbirths. In London 1921, the very first group of people voluntarily gave blood (the source of where the blood came from before this is elusive – I suspect foul play)
For Irish check www.giveblood.ie IF YOU ARE ELIGIBLE, PLEASE DONATE BLOOD. THANK YOU.
SIGN ME UP The National Blood Service (NBS) holds around 23,000 sessions a year. Visit the NBS website and locate your nearest session. You will firstly fill out a form and be asked questions in order to ascertain whether you are a suitable candidate. After this procedure you will be asked to sign a consent form - this is a legal requirement. The process also includes a haemoglobin test which aims to find out if donating blood will encourage anaemia. During the actual donation process you will be asked to lie down whilst a needle is inserted into your arm. The donation process generally lasts about ten minutes, resulting in an average donation of one pint of blood. You will then have a short rest alongside tea and biscuits. This process lasts less than one hour.
This month, Adam McVey looks at Britains budget deficit and asks:
? t i s i t b e whose d Tony Blair is long gone and the Labour Party is yet again showing its true colours... mainly Red. Under Gordon Brown, the Government has shown total unwillingness to cut the deficit until the economy returns to growth. They have chosen to prop up the economy by ensuring business and industry survive the economic downturn. The Labour base knows only too well what happens when a Government allows industry and business to fail. Communities are crushed and drained of all opportunity and the economy itself takes longer to recover. Labour once again looks comfortable using socialist policies to tackle economic problems. The Government seems to be only a nationalisation of an industrial sector away from erasing Blair’s legacy entirely. Although the Government is determined to borrow their way out of trouble, the level of national debt has stayed comparatively low. The UK’s debt level is approaching 60% while Greece’s debt level stands at 100% and Japan at 200% of GDP. Even the
A & Q t i c i def
US, with its proportionately smaller central Government, has a higher debt level than the UK. This year, according to the Office for National Statistics the UK will borrow 15% of GDP this financial year to combat the recession. Labour seems to understand that recession hits those at the bottom of the earning bracket most and they’ve fought hard to protect working-class jobs and keep industrial communities alive. Even in terms of tax cuts, Labour have returned to their socialist roots. They opted to cut VAT rather than cutting income tax to stimulate the economy. Cutting VAT is a policy which has the greatest effect on increasing the purchasing power of the poorest in society. Unlike a cut in income tax, even those on benefits profit from a cut in the price of goods. The Tories by comparison lampooned the Government for cutting VAT as a waste of money. They would have cut Income tax instead and hoped that people spent their tax cuts on buying more goods and services within the economy. Whichever way is best,
Labour have drawn a line in the sand. The third way is dead and once again there is now disagreement and debate in politics. Regardless of one’s political views, we should be able to see that our political system works best when Labour is Labour and Conservatives are Conservative. Both sides in this election are using the deficit and national debt as an election issue. Labour is betting that people see public debt as a necessary evil which has little to no bearing on their actual lives. The Conservatives are betting that everyone is worried about the UK losing its premier credit rating. The Conservative’s new election slogan is “We can’t go on like this”. In terms of national debt, we can go on for as long as we want to.
WHAT IS “THE DEFICIT?” The deficit is the gap between a governments spending and its revenues. So at the moment, the government is spending far more in a year than it can raise in taxes per annum. HOW BIG IS THE DEFICIT? At the moment, Britain’s budget deficit stands at around £178 million. This is the biggest budget deficit in Britain’s peacetime history. WHAT WOULD LABOUR DO? If Labour were to win the election this year, current economic policy would continue. Although some cuts in government departments would be inevitable, Britain would continue to borrow money in order to fund public services. Labour argue that as the British economy is currently so
fragile, to cut government spending and to impose higher taxes on workers now could be very damaging, causing a second slump and perhaps even a depression. WHAT WOULD THE CONSERVATIVES DO? The Conservative Party are very concerned about Labour’s economic policy. They argue that the budget deficit needs to be tackled now, in order that Britain’s level of debt does not further increase and that the AAA credit rating is not damaged. If the Conservatives win the coming general election, they have stated that they would make significant cuts across all government departments. Crucially, they have stated that they would not cut spending on the NHS; David Cameron singling it out as ‘special’.
WHAT WOULD THE LIBERAL DEMOCRATS DO? The Liberal Democrats have already dropped a number of key pledges, such as free tuition fees for British students studying in all parts of the UK, arguing that there is no longer the money to fund this. The Liberal Democrats have also said that the deficit has to be cut at the right time (not right now as in their opinion the economy is too fragile). They would continue to monitor this situation in order that the deficit could start to be tackled when the time is right.
science: Government drugs adviser sacked amid controversy
UK frozen in cold snap
Drug reclassification caught the headlines in 2009 and with it, its latest victim, David Nutt. Professor Nutt, former chairman of the UK’s Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs stated that ecstasy and LSD were less dangerous than alcohol and vociferously opposed the reclassification of cannabis to a Class B drug – he was subsequently sacked by the Home Secretary in October 2009. Professor Nutt was no stranger to controversy; after famously claiming that ecstasy was safer than horse-riding. Although correct in his inference - 100 people had died from horse riding that year compared with 30 from ecstasy - did he expect the government to crack down on horse riding? On one hand, Prof. Nutt cited accurate evidence but the manner in which he spoke out was unsettling, coming across almost in support of drug use. On the flip side, the Brown administration did not help itself by cracking down on Nutt, causing damage to their relationship with the scientific community. > Sharandeep Singh
Professor David Nutt
Britain has suffered one of its most horrific winters in decades as many parts of the UK were brought to a standstill.
Ex-men tell of the mutants that cause cancer British scientists recently reported a breakthrough in cancer research, having sequenced the DNA from cells of two deceased cancer patients. They found that the lung cancer cells had a total of 23,000 mutations in their DNA compared to healthy cells. The researchers suggested that on average one mutation occurs for every 15 cigarettes smoked. Not all these mutations will be involved in the cancer process, but this research will hopefully enable scientists to identify all of the mutations that were involved in formation of this cancer. Knowledge of these cancer causing mutations will hopefully result in better treatment for cancer patients. This research offers hope for more effective cancer medicines and paves the way for patients to receive treatments tailored to the specific mutations of their cancer. Sequencing the DNA of these cancer cells is a great step forward in cancer research, many more years work is required before we fully understand the underlying mechanisms of cancer. > Laura Fulford
Thousands of schools were closed and with many roads and motorways covered in ice, travellers were advised to make only necessary journeys. After the A3 in Hampshire was covered in snow, the military was summoned to the aid of 1000 stranded vehicles. Some areas of Scotland were dealt temperatures of down to -200C, whilst several local authorities up and down the country were hit with shortages of grit and salt leading to more treacherous conditions. With airports closed and almost half of workers staying home, the country ground to a halt. It seemed that Mother Nature was displaying her might in hope that we may yet change our ways. But with many anti-climate change factions seizing the opportunity to tout the crippling cold weather as propaganda against global warming, it is clear that there is still a lot of work yet to do. > Sharandeep Singh
science: Nanotechnology, the lighter way to travel Electric cars are often envisaged as the future of carbon neutral transport but one of the red lights slowing their general use is the heavy weight of batteries. Thanks to recent progress in nanotechnology by US scientists, batteries of decreased weight may be possible. Metallic parts of batteries may be replace by paper that has been coated with carbon nanotubes and metal nanowire strips creating a film on the paper allowing it to conduct electricity. This could decrease battery weight by up to 20% allowing more energy to be stored in an electric car and accelerating the cars’ development. Conductive paper is also highly flexible and may enable manufacturing of bendable electronic circuits. These circuits may then be utilised to make flexible electronic devices, such as e-book readers and portable media players that can be rolled or even folded for easy storage. > Laura Fulford
Green machine: Eco-car breakthrough It is easier than ever in 2010 to make a New Year’s resolution to combat climate change.
Not only does this mean less greenhouse gas, but also less pollutants in the air – with obvious health benefits. As demand for these cars increases they depreciate less than conventional cars. Further rewards for drivers include road tax exemption and, of course, the knowledge that they are protecting our planet. There’s recycling and saving electricity - but did you know that treating yourself to a new ‘eco-car’ could make you more energy efficient? These ‘eco-cars’ incorporate low-rolling resistance tyres, lower engine rpm and gear-change indicators. A major feature of some is the diesel particulate filter, which catches soot and gives optimum fuel economy of around 76.3 mpg and CO2 emissions as low as 98g/km. Not only does this mean less greenhouse gas, but also less pollutants in the air – with obvious health benefits. As demand for these cars increases they depreciate less than conventional cars. Further rewards for drivers include road tax exemption and, of course, the knowledge that they are protecting our planet. > Rosemary Gudmunsen
A beer a day keeps the doctor away? Silicon is commonly found in beer - known for its properties which aid bone growth - leading us to believe that maybe we shouldn’t feel too guilty because of a cheeky afternoon pint. Charles Bamforth and Troy Casey at the University of California, Davis, recently uncovered just how much of this bonedensity-aiding substance is in your average beer. Analysing 100 beers from around the world the researchers found that the beers contained between 6.4 and 56 milligrams of silicon per litre. Now we’re not too sure if that figure is good, bad or indfferent, but we doubt they would have cared much either considering how undoubtably drunk they must have been throughout the whole process. Nutrionists, possibly worried about the amount of self-justifying ammo this fact gives to the drinking public, have commented that silicon is in no way a replacement for calcium, which is proven to reduce the risk of osteoporosis. > Emily Kane
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music: We caught up with The Mirror Trap in January. A recent name change may have confused those who knew them as Descartes, however Exposure in local news and national Daily’s, along with being probably the most photogenic band to come from Dundee since Deacon Blue, show that The Mirror Trap are ones to watch for 2010 and beyond.
You achieved a certain level of interest press-wise as Descartes, was there any specific reason for the change of name? Gary Moore: I think we had hit a wall as Descartes, it felt like we had reached a point that we wouldn’t go past unless we really got our act together. So we decided to scrap everything and start again. I’d say that the first nail in the Descartes coffin came when we played with Jubilee, a band containing Aaron North of Nine Inch Nails fame, and the current Queens of The Stone Age bass player Michael Schuman. They were pretty much slumming it around the country in a little white van, so they ended up spending a few nights on our couches. Just being around those complete rock n roll beasts made us realise that everything we did was a bit limp and boyish in comparison. With the new name change were you worried at any point that you might be confused with the Temper Trap? GM: That thought did cross my mind briefly, but I’m pretty certain that by the time we are global megastars The Temper Trap will have gone back to session musician, stage schooled, four door hatchback obscurity. There are only a certain amount of adverts on TV that need an emotional soundtrack. Excellent. So, on that note, who as a band are your main influences? GM: The four of us are into a whole selection of music, which helps to make the sound a bit more interesting. But the ones we can agree on are probably Interpol, Queens of The Stone Age, Radiohead, The Strokes and Trail of Dead.
I think that authors such as Sartre, Camus, Huxley and Dostoevsky also have a large bearing on what we do. You recently supported The View, who notoriously have quite a hostile crowd for anything that isn’t that exact style of music. Did you feel that you received a good reception? GM: I had heard a few horror stories of bands getting a complete slaughtering when supporting the view, and it’s pretty safe to say that we don’t have a similar sound, but things went rather well. No bottles were thrown, and no lives were lost. I even saw a few people dancing. Getting the chance to be on such a massive stage was worth it.
“Just being around those complete rock n roll beasts made us realise that everything we did was a bit limp” Do you feel that there is any way that students at any of the universities and colleges in Dundee can be exposed to more music in Dundee? GM: I think simply coming to gigs would help. I find that the majority of students have a fear of leaving the safety of the Perth Road. But I guess Dundee has its scary places. The Union could do with putting on more gigs as well. We have played there a few times in the past and it always goes well, but they seem to have given up on live music.
In that case are promoters in Dundee doing enough within the city to ensure that differing genres of music are being exposed throughout Dundee? GM: Not really. Promoters like money, and crowds bring money. And it would seem that the bands that bring the crowds are often rubbish. But I guess it is up to the people who have new ideas and love new music to get out and do it themselves. Are there other bands in Dundee missing out that people would be interested in finding out? GM: Yes. There are a lot of good things happening in weird little corners of the city. Personally I love Quiver and The Ladysnatchers, and Make Sparks. The Floor and Dave? are amazing as well. The new songs appear to have a new found confidence, a momentum and build up that seems to hit the listener at a much more obvious pace than ever. Can it be argued that this is a metaphor which can be applied to the band ethos as a whole and how you would like to see The Mirror Trap take off over the next year? We have a lot less patience than before, we want to attack at every opportunity and I think that shows in the music. Check www.myspace.com/themirrortrap to hear the songs, check when the next show is and get involved! > Paul Malik
music: The Hazey Janes with The Stranger’s Almanac Monday 28th December 2009 The former home of the Doghouse been fully refurbished and restyled, catering for a somewhat more sophisticated audience than the ska-centric, cheerfully riotous Doghouse regulars. Gone are the pool tables and wall-to-wall gig posters; in are the chunky wooden benches and ever-sotasteful grey and red colour scheme. A programme of suitably leftfield bands over the past month or so has featured such highlights as the goat-headed gypsy cabaret group, The Lost Todorovs, and the razor-sharp synthpop of Findo Gask. Notorious for its lack of regular outlets for new and experimental acts, Dundee can only benefit from this respectable approach to midsize music-mongering – some teething problems with the sound system aside aside. It’s with hopeful expectations, therefore, that I set out on an icy December evening to catch local favourites, The Hazey Janes, with support from fellow Dundonians The Stranger’s Almanac. With Christmas out of the way and New Year’s Eve to look forward to, the assembled crowd has a relaxed, celebratory vibe; though any pretenders to bohemianism are gratifyingly dwarfed by the enormous RED STRIPE advertising banner. The Stranger’s Almanac kick off with some wry, Eels-influenced melodies and laconic basslines. Frontman Gord Matheson sings the mildly existential 16
refrain “Everything will be OK / Nothing here is real” with rousing sincerity, while the plaintive fingerpicking and restless drums of closer Walkabout build to something rather epic, though not entirely escaping the generic. The Hazey Janes take to the stage next, with a chorus of affectionate
whoops from the impressive turnout. Stalwarts of the local scene, though building an international reputation, the Hazeys have worked hard to polish their sunny, altcountry sound, and easily outshone established indiepoppers Aberfeldy during a recent support slot at the Cupar Arts Festival. Opener Early Morning Light features their typical jangly guitar and three-part harmonies, and any doubters are won over by the band’s infectious energy and enthusiasm. A few plodding tunes let the set down somewhat, though the timely emergence
of an egg-shaped shaker and a star-shaped tambourine restores my faith. Seasonal sweetness is provided as beardy singer Andrew Mitchell urges us to “grab your scarf and hat … the clocks have all gone back”, while the quartet indulge their love of Americana with an encore cover of Lindsay Buckingham’s Holiday Road. Scotland is renowned for producing upbeat pop songs with melancholic undertones, or humorous takes on the tragic. The Hazeys touch upon this tradition, but sound more complacent than contemplative – a little too comfortable. That said, when there’s snow outside and real ale on tap, comfort is no bad thing. http://www.myspace.com/ dukescorner http://www.myspace.com/ thestrangersalmanac http://www.myspace.com/ thehazeyjanes >Tara Chaloner >Photographer: Jeni Deards
art: Interview with Clare Thornton-artist number five in The Dundee Nine Trades Project With Ruth Hunter Ruth Speaks To Artist Number 5 in the Dundee Nine Trades Project One Drizzling Dublin Evening I embarked upon a Skype interview with Bristol-based roving artist Clare Thornton. I met with the voice of Clare Thornton inside the spacey nothingness of ‘spider webs and magic’ that as far as I understand, computers are made of. As Clare ever so-obligingly answered my questions from my friend Larry’s surround sound system, I could
from the textile industry? “Yes well I am kind of process/ideas led, so I want to respond to the people and places i encounter. My starting point is wanting to investigate textile related trades. Tailoring, outfitters, costume, textile shops and factories.. “ And will your representation of this sharing take shape visually or in performance art? (Clare the co-founder of a group called the
neglected in the British public eye? “It depends on the way one thinks about art. I think that is more deeply embedded in our own lives than we think. Like the way art plays out in fashion, fashion trends are a way of exploring our own identity, community, acting out cultural shifts.” Do you think that because its embedded people lose a certain
“It can be quite a parasitic relationship really...” not help but simultaneously feel as though I was being addressed by an omnipotent entity. The similarities to vengeful deities however ceased at the ubiquity of her voice, Clare was insightful and enthusiastic throughout the interview. We discussed her upcoming involvement as an artist in the ‘Nine Trades of Dundee’ project. If you remember from the last issue, dedicated reader, the Nine Trades project is supported by The National Lottery through the Scottish Arts Council’s Inspire Fund and has commisioned nine artists to incorporate art into nonart workplaces with which they are familiar. Clare’s Nine-Trades project will involve communicating with those working in and studying textiles in Dundee. We started right at the origin of her success as an artist: What led you to become an artist? “I had always been interested in making. I made my first item of clothing when I was nine. I was actually trained in dance originally, so I have always been interested in things relating to the body. I didn’t go to art school, I went into the history and literature side of things so it wasn’t until I was well out of university that I got back in to making my own work.” With regards to the Nine Trades project will you be visiting people
performance re-enactment society who recreate work of past performance artists) “Well I often produce installations and to be honest I’d describe my practice as interdisciplinary. The outcome of my research for this project could be a live event, an installation, a limited edition object.” It must give you a lot of freedom creatively if you are so familiar with all those mediums. “It’s often about drawing on other people’ expertise and working collaboratively. I might decide I want to make a video’ so I’ll collaborate with a video maker or a bookbinder, a glass blower, a lace maker… So I tend to work collaboratively. It can be quite a parasitic relationship really. A mutual using of each others’ skills.” From what you do know of Dundee how would you describe the artistic atmosphere? “On my last trip I made a point of getting in contact with Generator because I’m a member of something called Spike Associates-an artist lead group. I also went to DCA. The Hirschorn piece was on and that was really intense. I look forward to checking out the live music scene as well. I heard about some quite interested zines through Generator.” Do you think that art has become
perspective on it and they don’t analyse it as much? It becomes just a part of the environment instead of something to think about and discuss? “Well in terms of say how people read a film, I think people are actually quite visually articulate, we analyse so much visual data. Maybe what’s interesting about some artists work is shining light on the everyday, stepping back and observing and analysing that which we do. I’m very curious about the performance of the everyday, because everyday we are dressing up to give off a certain message and we are talking in a certain way. The differences between public and private places. I was reading the other day about the return of the gothic and the vampire, it’s interesting to analyse our trends. Our tastes in clothing and fashion and the art and design in the everyday, you are surrounded by art and sometimes you need to step back and reflect.” Clare will be coming to Dundee in February to work on her roving tailor project. How will the textile industry of Dundee look through the eyes of this artist? Will it reveal something mysterious that for those who live here, has faded into the background beyond notice of our everyday lives? Let’s hope there’s more than jute.
it’s coming... Dromos
KILL YOUR TIMID NOTION
Two artists and an architect walk in to a gallery, specifically James Alexander Craig, Derek Sutherland and Bedwyr Willliams in Generator from the 20th of February to the 21st March, located in Generator Gallery behind the University. ‘Sounds recorded during one riot can, when played elsewhere, recreate this earlier event” is just a snippet of ideas the three artists will be exploring using experimental sound, structure and performance techniques. “The artists are attempting to move towards instantaneous real time through performance, they utilise the constructs of modernity in a way which makes it relatable to the wider environment in its deviation from jouissance and consumption. (GENERATOR projects 25/26 Mid Wynd Industrial Estate).
KYTM is an experimental visual and sound art festival now in its third year. It will be showing at the DCA from 21-28th of February with some lovely DOJ students helping out. Amongst other artists it will feature two world renowned artist: Kjell Bjørgeengen and Paul Sharits who will be experimenting with their own chosen medium on the concept of Flickering, the theme of this year’s exhibition. A mix of what sounds to be very intriguing work will take place at this festival so if you seek a form of escape from between the university campus and the pub this may broaden your horizons to somewhere near the edge of the world.
music: review: The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood. Perhaps I am referencing a backlog of generalizations made about students when I assume that in general, we do not enjoy our part time jobs. However due to the inescapable realities of the recession and the unfortunate increases in the prices of stuff, many of us who have been hit fairly hard, have been left with no other option but to keep at the part-time grind. As clichéd as citing things as sounding clichéd might sound “The Handmaid’s Tale” by Margaret Atwood was a book that made me appreciate my mundane job in a call-centre. Imagine living in a world where your only ‘job’ is to copulate, at any cost. I’m sure there are some of us out there that are thinking “wahey, sounds fucking brilliant!”, but Atwood’s portrayal of one woman’s experience living in a religious theocracy is a frightening insight into a society that most of us are lucky enough not to know. She lives in a regime hell-bent on combating the problem of reduced birth rates, the problem is that their method of achieving this goal is by sacrificing the rights of women. “The Handmaid’s Tale” is a piece of dystopian, speculative fiction set in the Republic of Gilead in the near future. Gilead is what remains of America overthrown by a theocratic regime. The aims of the regime are focused on increasing birth rates and addressing issues regarded as “religiously inappropriate” (such as homosexuality which is punishable by death under the label of ‘gender treachery’). The women exist under oppressive regulations. They are not allowed to own any property and have strict laws of dress colour- coded according to their class. The most esteemed, the Wives, wear blue, whereas the Handmaids - those
release sweepingly sweet Sex Pistols ‘God Save the Queen’ in the summer for the Queen’s jubilee, it’s time record companies took heed of what the people want and stop shovelling shit down our throats from progressively souring reality TV shows. It’s fine if that’s your taste in music but does it have to dominate, really? There are better things out there if you just get The main character in the novel is known off your arse and go out and look for it. as “Offred” as in “Of Fred”, Fred being With many bands already maintaining her Commander, the man that she must a powerful wielding online influence reproduce for. The novel is an account via MySpace and other networking of her experiences being “trained” as a handmaid and the household she ‘works’ sites, the music’s out there and there’s for until she is taken away by the regime no need for this predictable pish-posh come Christmas. Facebook worked for to an unknown fate. The novel also Rage, with numberless Facebook users divulges a series of flashbacks; Offred’s staring down the barrel of controversy past life before the regime took over. in order to reinstate the credibility of the Christmas number one. Remember As a disclaimer to some who may jump the days when the seasonal music filled to certain conclusions, this book is not epochs were actually good? Wizzard, just for so-called “bra-burners”, it is, Slade, even Cliff with cheesy numbers essentially, a novel which made me, outstripped the days of nigh in festively personally, value the freedoms of the society which we live in; working in a job filled music wonderland. that I get paid for, studying at uni for the degree which I want to earn, being able Of course, it is all a matter of opinion yet the success of Rage and the sure to socialize with whomever I wish and feat of the Pistols in the summer prove not just being a machine for producing that the people want more from the UK offspring. music industry. Something of credible > Kiran Hayat substance. Something that can be remembered and not a throwaway that will be forgotten within minutes. Or at least something with just plain good beats and not a re-run of the same old same new! MySpace, Facebook and other socially networked sites provide this medium. All that is left is to participate for the good of musicdom. Cheers to Rage, the public and the sanctity of the Christmas Number One. Many a Christmas gone, some wannabe Here’s to good tuneage in 2010-the Hit 40 show remains nothing without it. youngster with vocal talents of a castrated cat once again snags the > Henrietta Evans number one. Hell no. Not this time! Christmas 2009- Rage Against the Machine conquers against all odds. Led by a famous Facebook campaign, could this be the future of the UK music industry? I think so! With plans to rewhose sole purpose is to bear childrenare forced to wear red along with veils to protect them from the eyes of other men. Career driven women, prostitutes, feminists and lesbians are all classed as ‘Jezebels’ or ‘Unwomen.’ In the Gileadean society mingling of the different classes of women and even of men and women is strictly forbidden.
The charts don’t do as we tell them- or do they?
Cartoons:
Odes and Other Things Which Don’t Fit Anywhere Else: Prof, “ Dear I couldn’t make it to class today, I’m Ill, Honest by Emily Kane
I’ve been feeling quite fatigued, The weird thing is I’ve only been out 5 out of 7 nights this week, I haven’t missed a tutorial or a class or a lab this semester, And I need to get on top of this illness now otherwise it will just fester, I didn’t make the lectures because my keys broke in the door, And my essay might be a little bit late because my computer is Word 2004, So anyway, I’ll see you on Wednesday, Because I’m not planning on going to Skint, But I might not have my presentation because my computer just won’t connect to print.
“
You Know You’re At The Library Too Much When... Excuse You, Sir You notice just how polite everyone is just because its “the library”. Opening doors, p’s and q’s courteously noted, the library is a hotbed of perfect gentleman/ladies! Facebook Madness There isn’t a spare computer in sight and some idiot has decided its wholly appropriate to sit on Facebook whilst you rush about trying to get last weeks essay done. Watch Out, Jani’s About You’ve surreptiously hidden your can of coke under your desk and while you’ve got one eye on a book you’ve got the other on watch for a janitorial fleece - and you thought you’d left school.
That Table Is Actually Mine? It’s just sad, you’ve been at the library for days on end and now think you have a claim to “your” table. Not going to lie but, you really need to get out a wee bit more.
Turn The Volume Down In the library, every sound is magnified - including your crisps. Expect daggers and “ahems” as people attempt to shut you up.
The Cafe
Stalking Ground It’s basic fact: the library is the perfect recruiting ground for potential suitors. The downside being that you probably won’t have eight jaeger bombs convincing you to talk to them!
They’ve made you fork out your whole student loan for a posh sandwich with “rocket and cranberry” and now you have to justify to yourself that your bank balance is only low because you are clever? Epic fail. Your Legs Work, BTW We are all very aware that a lift exists in the library, which luckily for all of us has the worlds loudest BEEP. Could you not just walk down the two flights of stairs? No?
Know anymore? E-mail them to themagdalen@ dusa.co.uk
Urban Myths with Jordan Dunbar The Curse of the House-Near-Laings. Sometimes you hear a story that you just cannot believe. One that is so sensational, so gruesome but most of all so near, it could never be true. The story of number 2 Roseangle would not be believed in a Hollywood horror let alone in a newspaper. The story begins on Sunday 17th May 1980 on a summer afternoon in the middle of exams. Some Dundee Uni students from Seabraes Halls were having a kick about on a patch of grass beside Laings pub. One of them kicked the ball straight into the garden of the house beside them. As he had kicked it, he had to get it and set off over the wall into the garden. It was when he had picked up the ball he noticed the glass scattered over the garden path like ice.
As he approached he saw a scene that would haunt him for the rest of his life. Two corpses lay with their heads caved in bleeding over the floor. This discovery resulted in a murder hunt for a serial killer that stretched across Britain. The killer had been disturbed when he broke into the house by the elderly couple and been dispatched in a violent frenzy using a claw hammer and his bare hands. The reason for their murder, it later turned out was the fact they lived next to a church. He wore a bloodstained raincoat, hat and carried a briefcase as he calmly made his way to the train station. The man responsible was Henry John Gallagher a local man around thirty who had been badly abused by Catholic priests when he was younger. This had damaged him to the extent that he became dead set on revenge. He had mistaken
the Protestant church on Perth Road for a Roman Catholic one and thought the couple’s house belonged to a priest. During his escape he began to track down priests, first in Middlesborough and then in Harrogate even as far as Brighton! It was in Ramsgate that he brutally clubbed to death an elderly priest and his maid before attacking another. He was caught a week later after becoming the most wanted man in the UK. Everytime you walk past the house take a look inside, the urban legend is that the house is cursed. I know of at least two people who have been inside and swear it is still full of the couple’s things as well as a macabre blood stain at the backdoor. It’s rumoured that the University own it but can’t use it as the employees refuse to work in it. I hope it turns up on Location, Location, Location.
Fashion News > Seonaid Rogers
• If you missed them the first time around, net-a-porter.com has Christian Louboutin Barbies back in stock. Pick yours up for £100, or save the money and spend it on a real pair of Louboutin heels. • Rumours are abound that David Beckham will begin designing menswear for his wife Victoria Beckham’s fashion line. Victoria herself dismissed the idea at present, but added: “never say never!”
Everyone in the fashion world is talking about the Chanel show, and not just because of the clothes. Lily Allen performed Not Fair at the show’s close, and spotted in the front row were the likes of Prince, Claudia Schiffer and Rihanna. The show itself, styled on Marie Antoinette’s play-farm at Versailles, saw skinny models wearing extremely covetable skirt suits in muted tones, playful dresses and masculine trousers as they walked through bales of hay on a specially constructed runway.
And now for a breakdown of our favourite fashion shows of Spring 2010 RTW: Alexander McQueen’s sea-creature inspired show slipped more into the couture category, with superbly structured minidresses in a variety of underwater hues. Models’ faces were adorned with fake gills, shoulders were sharp and skirts pleated. Overall, one of the standout shows of the season.
Under Marc Jacobs, the Louis Vuitton show at first looked more like something you would see at Topshop Unique. Disguised under gigantic afros, models sported day-glo dresses, neon bags, and plenty of basketball inspired garments. In the mix were some tailored jackets and expertly constructed draped pieces – this show stood out for me as Jacobs updated the sophistication of the label and reconnected with its pop-culture allure. He definitely made Vuitton cool for 2010 – and perhaps shook off a little of the chavvy image it has for so long been associated with. Image sources: style.com Sources: style.com, flyingsaucer.typepad. com, graziadaily.com
Don’t Splurge; Save! > Nicola Brown
A
s we all return to Uni following a winter which has been coined ‘The Big Freeze’ due to Britain experiencing the coldest weather in some 27 years; fashion and style will have ultimately slipped on our list of priorities. Having experiencing an unprecedented amount of snow and ice, warmth and practicality have been the priority; with thermals and wellies prevailing to the front of the wardrobe. If you’re at all like me, you will now be using this as an excuse to hit the sales running, as I repeatedly convince myself that I need a whole new wardrobe ready and waiting for the first signs of good weather. However as the high street doesn’t seem to appreciate IOU’s, other methods must be explored.
Therefore instead of spending money that we ultimately cannot afford to part with on new outfits, why not try rejuvenating what you’ve already got and aim to buy select pieces that will update an existing outfit fit for the new decade. Coincidentally this happens to be my New Year’s Resolution.
“rather than basking in self-pity, we can use this to our advantage and get creative with our wardrobes”
January is widely accredited as being the dreariest month of them all: we’re all skint, a dress size heavier and the weather offers no comfort. Though rather than basking in self-pity, we can use this to our advantage and get creative with our wardrobes.
Even if you are feeling the pinch after all the spending over the festive season, you can still reinvent new outfits whilst dressing appropriately for the current weather. Here are some ways in which we can all update our look without breaking the bank: • Give your winter jacket a new lease of life by adding an oversized brooch or corsage. It sounds simple but will give it
a unique new look. Accessorize have a quirky set of three brooches for £10.
• Bold and patterned tights are big again this season and are a cheap way to revive an outfit by wearing them with a dress in your wardrobe that perhaps hasn’t seen the light of day in a while. Mytights.com and Topshop both offer a great range of funky tights at affordable prices.
• With all the falling snow and consequent snow-ball fights our hats and gloves have taken a battering, so why not treat yourself to a new set: making those cold, bleak days that bit more exciting. River Island has some simple beanies in stock for under £10 and why not affix a brooch for a funky twist. Alternatively Accessorize are on to a winner again with their cute bow gloves, priced only £10. Therefore there’s no excuse for complaining about a lack of money, get inventive and beat those winter blues!
Strutting into the New Year Words: Liz O’Hara Photography: Liz O’Hara
The dramatically lit runway stretches towards me as I stand poised at the end of it, waiting in anticipation along with the audience on either side of me. Tonight I paid a reasonable £5 for a little glossy ticket to this glamorous event, “Rock The Catwalk”, a fashion show fundraiser organised by Duncan of Jordanstone’s fourth year Textile Design students. Fat Sams Live is the perfect venue, both in atmosphere and size. With a brief introduction from a few of the main organisers, it begins.
Twenty-eight gorgeous models grace the runway accompanied by thumping music. The styles on show vary hugely, from sassy silver and black minidresses, rouched satin skirts, and midnight-blue velvet eveningwear, to quirky tweed shawls and patchwork coats in womenswear. The men swagger forward sporting casual but elegant, coloured t-shirts and suits, complimented by an occasional charcoal-coloured coat slung over the shoulder. My sartorial eye is caught, in particular, by a beautifully cut mossgreen suit jacket with brown button detail on the sleeve. It is worn with a forest -green tie set against a crisp white shirt, and a kilt of similar hue, courtesy of The Kilt Company.
The clothes showcased tonight were sourced from a variety of boutiques and charity shops around Dundee including: Missy LaLa, Wild as the Wind, Beco, Rara, Shelter, and British Heart Foundation. The combination of exciting new designs found in boutiques, and recycled fashion works really well and gives the audience fresh inspiration to put together great secondhand outfits as well as new. The models are all preened to perfection thanks to the wonderful Kismy hairdressing salon on Perth Road, and Dundee College who have done a great job with make-up. The night has been a great success and has raised over ÂŁ1500 which will help fund places at New Designers, the London Design Festival.
sport: Return of the King of the Road >Calum Munro
“2010 sees the king of F1 Michael Schumacher returning to the grid for one last run. ” Schumacher has chosen to return to the sport with the Mercedes-Benz team, both re-uniting with long-time Ferrari and Benetton colleague Ross Brawn and also fulfilling a career-long ambition to grace the legendary “Silver Arrows”. But after three seasons out, and at an age when most sportsmen are ready to confine themselves to the pundit’s chair, why come back? Like many returning stars, he speaks of his hunger for the competitive challenge. “After three years I have the energy back and I’m ready for some serious stuff” he says. Following a whirlwind career in the public spotlight, 15 seasons spent racing and being the poster boy for Ferarri and F1, Schumacher felt burnt out. “After my retirement in 2006... I felt relieved, just like [I had been] freed” he says. Although he has signed a lucrative 3-year deal with the team, it is believed that there is a clause which allows either party to opt out at any point. Should he see out the contract, he will be racing into his mid-forties in a sport that requires both super-human physical and mental conditioning. While there are few doubts over his talent and enthusiasm for racing, questions remain over previous neck injuries and whether he still has the ‘spark’. It was only last summer that neck issues forced him to abort an attempted comeback in place of the injured Felipe Massa at Ferrari. Making little secret of the fact that this disappointment only strengthened his resolve to return to the fastest sport on four wheels, he accepts the risks involved but nonetheless feels confident. “I immediately felt well in the car. It was as if I never was gone” says the seven-time former champion. Like many
former F1 drivers, he has continued to race in exhibition and karting events. Alain Prost and Nikki Lauda provide positive examples of F1 comebacks, both winning world titles after breaks from the sport – and in Lauda’s case, a life-threatening accident. Having impressively risen from the ashes of the Honda F1 team to win the title with Jenson Button last year (under the Brawn GP branding), Schumacher seems confident that his new team will have a car capable of competing for the top spot. “You cannot expect anything else, other than to go for the World Championship” he states. But in his final season before retirement, Schumacher was pipped to an eighth accolade by Fernando Alonso - the man viewed as his long term successor in the sport and now in Schumacher’s old seat at Ferrari. Alongside Alonso, the emergence of Lewis Hamilton, Jenson Button and Sebastien Vettel , amongst others, will pose serious challenges to Schumacher. His teammate for the season, Nico Rosberg, completes the German flavour of the team and is honoured to race alongside “the reference in F1” and “couldn’t dream of more”. Regarding the highly-controversial “team order” system instigated by Brawn and Schumacher in the past, Rosberg stresses that he has been assured they will be on even pegging. Despite the fact that he had to swap car numbers due to Schumacher’s superstition over odd numbers, he boldly states that: “When I win in Bahrain; people will not be concerned about the number on my car, but the driver who is in it”. Ahead of another season packed with Eddie Jordan’s obtuse punditry and Martin Brundle’s baffling, “I’ll take your word for it” jargon, all eyes will be on Schumacher – wherever he is on the grid.
sport: Hulkmania’s Back! >Calum Munro
“Featuring a new Hip...!” Well, though most people probably didn’t even notice he was gone, or care, you were no doubt aware who Hulk Hogan is, and maybe that he was going through a divorce. So thus a catastrophic event was marked in the world of pro wrestling when it was recently announced that the Hulkster had signed with WWE rivals TNA (Total Non-Stop Action). Aye, aye, we know. The Magdalen’s meant to be a high-brow student voice and I’m talking about cringe worthy kiddies TV with muscular men in tacky tights – no that’s not why I watch it before you ask, yes we’re well aware it’s all scripted/fake, no I don’t still live with my parents and have had real girlfriends (edit that and I’ll edit your face). Anyway, basically there’s the bigger company called WWE that used to be called WWF (damn that little panda) and the wee
The Karate Club > Barry Davidson The Karate Club is another of our sports groups who reflect the great enthusiasm and talent out there at Dundee. Competitively, the club take part in both the British and Scottish national competitions, with individuals having had a degree of success. For example, Captain Tom Rainey recently won a silver medal at British level in the heavyweight category. Tom also had the opportunity to go and train with the British squad in Corboda in Spain, but due to, “financial restraints”, was unable to undertake the trip. Much of the success of the clubs and individuals, such as Tom, has been put down to the commitment and ability of the
one called TNA, that hosts lesser-known wrestlers, has-beens and Hulk Hogan – the most famous has been of them all. And it is very big bucks this wrestling business – not just with the kiddies, the crowd is equally adult these days. The big event lately was the debut of Hulk in TNA and the first time the two companies went head to head on US TV so far, evoking the old WCW vs WWE Monday Night Wars. Follow me yet? No? Good. Essentially, this means that lots of bigger stars have started to come to TNA, many of whom male readers will still remember (Jeff Hardy, X-Pac, Kurt Angle, Ric Flair etc). But up against TNA on WWE Raw was the return of Bret ‘The Hitman’ Hart, 12 years after the company infamously screwed him. Both shows were exciting, and despite lower ratings, TNA
provided superior in-ring action, better storylines and many more surprises. Since then however, things haven’t been so good for them. The reason the WCW promotion folded years ago (humiliatingly bought by WWE), was because of bad story-lines, oldbuddies keeping younger talent down and bloated salaries. Also, TNA has returned to its Thursday slot and produced two baffling, rubbish shows since that have killed off the initial momentum. UK viewers can catch TNA Impact! every Saturday on Bravo at 9pm, and WWE programming at various times on Sky Sports (if you’re that rich). And you can still change channel when someone enters the room. We know.
club trainers. Experienced Jim Kidd, who was one of the first men in Scotland to have gained a black belt in what is still a relatively new sport, and former student Iain Rennie. As Captain Tom reflects, “Jim and Iain are great, we feel really lucky to have them at the club. The style of karate we use in training is shotokan, but we are open to all different styles”. For those like me who have no idea what ‘shokotan’ means, I have shamelessly plundered the internet and found that it is a style of karate divided into three parts: basics, forms or patterns of moving, and sparring. See, you learn something new every day!. Special mention also has to go to club president Liz Rogers currently the longest standing member of the club and an example of the dedication of those involved
in ensuring they remain a success. The club currently have a membership of around 25 but are always actively looking to add to this figure ,with the aim to attract those with an existing talent within the sport who an eye on competition, as well as those just beginning. For those looking for competitive action a target of the club is to assemble a team for the upcoming BUCS Championships, so offering a opportunity for those who impress in training. Training sessions are currently held on Saturdays between 1-3 in Studio 2 of the ISE, and Wednesdays 4.30-6.30 in ISE Hall 2.
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society: Action Palestine >Barry Davidson The first society of focus this month is Action Palestine, a group who have only recently been affiliated to DUSA, and are entering their first full semester of activity. Not to be confused with the Stop the War group who have also been seen around campus, Action Palestine look to promote more than just peace in the district but focus upon Palestine in a more fulsome manner, through its history and cultural traditions. The guys within the group are aiming to bring cultural understanding of Palestine to students at Dundee and beyond, with the society also having sister groups at other Scottish universities. They look to achieve this by holding a number of events throughout the remainder of the semester and beyond. An example of the society’s events is night dedicated to Palestinian culture planned for March the 6th with the venue still to be confirmed. This will include music, food, and dance from the region, and promises to be a good fun for all who attend.
Model UN >Barry Davidson
The Model UN is a society which aims to bring the dramatic events which unfold at the UN in New York to Dundee. The MUN works as a simulation of the real United Nations, through a series of debates and conferences which provide students interested in international affairs the opportunity to play ambassadors, and represent a country, whilst deliberating over current dilemmas that plague our global population Events on the calendar include the hosting of inter university debates involving Edinburgh and St Andrews, while also
The society are also hosting a number of documentaries which they hope will give students an insight into the lives of ordinary people through war-time; including some of the great efforts, and acts of humanity, apparent amidst the great suffering.
One of these documentaries is regarding an 11 year old Palestinian boy who donated organs to an ill Israeli child; illustrating the fact that people can bridge the great divide, and help each other, in the name of human spirit. Another of the documentaries focuses on an Israeli living in Palestine who attempts to channel Palestinian protest away from
welcoming many top political speakers to campus who give talks relating to specific international issues, raising the profile of these issues within the student body in the process. Furthermore, the society organises trips throughout the year. These trips are usually to attend conferences held by sister groups, including, Oxford, London, and the Scottish national MUN in Edinburgh, additionally a trip overseas to Geneva is also on the agenda. As member Lierin Martin comments, “Every day, we have the ability to make the small differences. Model United Nations (MUN) provides a template for the practice of these world-altering decisions. If you want to make an instantaneous impact, MUN gives you the tools to develop this skill”. Lierin and the rest of the group see themselves as providing students the perfect opportunity to meet new people, but additionally, members are provided with a fantastic chance to aid public speaking skills, exercise the ability to
violence and into forms of expressive arts and theatre. Giving young people a chance to move away from trouble and into an environment where they are given a platform to express themselves, while aiding their personal development. Such screenings truly express the aim of the society, and the way it is partly looking to highlight positives amongst all the trouble which is reported regularly on our screens. Another exciting development is the summer trip to Palestine with other Scottish universities. The trip will involve a ten day stay while undertaking volunteer work close up with the people who have gone through unimaginable terror during the years of war and corresponding social problems. The trip seems like an outstanding opportunity to see Palestine, especially with it being generally difficult to access. If interested in getting involved with the work of one of our youngest and most progressive societies meetings are held at 5.30pm on a Thursday in the Tower Building.
problem-solve, learn the art of successful negotiation and are provided with an education on current global issues. It must also be pointed out that involvement in the MUN provides the perfect CV fodder due the nature of the activity. If you like the sound of the MUN, and would like to find out how to get yourself involved, you can contact the group on the following email address: dundeemodelun@dundee.ac.uk .
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feature: how good is our university? > William Brownlee Remember those days, which probably seem like an eternity ago now, when you were making that all important decision of what Universities to apply to? Let me ask, out of the five or six choices you were given, what made you select the University of Dundee? Maybe it was simply because you live close to the city and would prefer to be close to home. Maybe the course you are studying is taught well in Dundee. Perhaps you chose Dundee based on the entry requirements, or possibly you didn’t even plan to come here in the first place, but failed to get into your first choice university. However, whatever your reasons for coming here, the simple fact is that you’re here! More importantly however, we need to remember that going to University and getting a degree is essentially a stepping stone into a career. Which university you go to has been shown to affect your future employment opportunities. So, the question you are all looking to know, how does the University of Dundee compare to others across the UK? And when you are sitting in that all important job interview, and the interviewer learns that you are from the University of Dundee, will that make them cringe or cheer? On a very general comparison, the Times Good University Guide 2010 ranks the University of Dundee as number 41, out of 114, hence making it almost within the top 3rd of UK Universities. One of these
categories is entitled ‘Student Satisfaction’ and taken alone, the University of Dundee ranks at number 27. Out of 114, that’s pretty impressive to say the least! Similarly, the category, ‘Graduate Prospects’ ranks Dundee at number 28, which again goes without saying that studying at Dundee enhances your future career. A recent study found that more students from the University of Dundee enter into professions such as Law, Architecture and Medicine than any other Scottish
university. Considering that many Oxford rejects choose Edinburgh as their back up university, this again may be said to put the University of Dundee in a very good light. Maybe they should in future consider Dundee as their second option! However, despite these reputable qualities the University of Dundee has earned, it is still not a member of the much coveted
Russell Group. This group, as quoted on its website, “represents the 20 leading UK universities which are committed to maintaining the very best research, an outstanding teaching and learning experience and unrivalled links with business and the public sector.” Universities within the Russell Group are known for having the best quality of teaching, which is reflected by the fact that they are able to recruit the top academics, mainly because of their high reputation. It goes without saying, that competition for places in one of these Universities is fierce, (with some courses having around 20 applicants per place!) In addition to that, employers appear to look on graduates from Russell Group universities with high regard. Research shows that studying at one of the Russell Group universities provides a salary top up of around 10% over the course of employment, compared to other graduates from non Russell Group Universities. University of Dundee management may indeed feel pressurised to excel Dundee University in whatever way they can in order to ‘make up’ for not being part of the Russell Group. Regardless of this however, it is safe to say that the University of Dundee is a much highly thought of University with a good reputation for teaching, research and (perhaps most importantly for us) graduate prospects.
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Catch of the Month
DEMOCRACY
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Alyn Smith - 12th February Scotland and the EU: how independence would affect Scotland’s relationship with Brussels. A young and passionate MEP for the SNP, Alyn Smith tackles the subject of where and independent Scotland would stand in Europe.
Moazzam Begg - 18th February Can torture be justified? The death of one to save the lives of hundreds. Or is it an abhorrent practice with no place in a civilised society?
Martin Kelner - 4th March Mainstream media and freedom of speech. Star of the ‘Piss poor podcast’, Martin Kelner will be bringing his thoughts on the issue of freedom of speech to Dundee with lashing of humour.
Debate on Drug legalisation- 16th March Transform Drug Policy Foundation debate the current government drug policies.
Outside the Law: Stories of Guantanamo - End of March Documentary screening followed by a question and answer session with the directors and Omar Deghayes – former detainee of Guantanamo Bay. A documentary film offering a rebuke to those who feel that Guantanamo bay is necessary to ‘protect’ nations.
The Jew, The Chicken and The Egg A play featuring actors from the Middle East.
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