DUNDEE UNIVERSITY’S STUDENT MAGAZINE • OCTOBER • NO.18
THE FREE MAGAZINE BY STUDENTS, FOR STUDENTS.
The
No.18 The Anonymous Issue October 2010
Magdalen CONTENTS 5 NEWS: Campus 6 NEWS: Our Brian Cox on From page 9
Question Time
8 SOCIETIES: A path to fame 9 POLITICS: DUSA President resigns
13 ANONYMITY: Investigated 16 V&A: Your guide to the plans 20 MUSIC: News, discussion, reviews and map! Page 30
24 ARTS: A theatrical introduction 26 FASHION: Vintage and bespoke treats 30 TRAVEL: Whiskey and Mexico!
34 SCIENCE: An encounter in the deep... 37 SPORT: Dundee Uni’s incredible teams Page 34
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The Magdalen
Editor Beth Shackley Online Editor Ruth Hunter Assistant Editors Henrietta Evans Emma Gaffney Sarah Gray Events and Relations Jane Garstin
Editorial Hello lovely readers, It’s been a very busy month in the Magdalen office! We have expanded all of our section and now the magazine boasts teams of editors for each section.
Fashion Editors Nicola Brown Colette McDiarmid Seonaid Rogers
We have a newly updated music section and our music editors Martyn, Michael and Maggie are delving deep into the local music scene. Our arts section has expanded in every way, due to your demands! Check out our online expansions too, which include polls and a section that allows you to give your point of view.
Features Editors Jamie Harris Paul McCallum Gabriel Neil
Our Events Coordinator has some incredible ideas up her sleeve, so keep an eye out for exciting Magdalen happenings.
Art Editor Ana Hine Current Affairs Editors Faye Cawood Ciara McFadden
Graphic Designer Hannah Graham Head of Design Ryan Fitch Music Michael Duncan Martyn Sroka Maggie Thompson Performing Arts Editor Rosie Cunningham Science Editor Dr Jon Urch Societies Editor Melina Nicolaides Sports Editor Graeme Spowart
Editor?
Contributors Loubna Ali Paul D. Andrews
Travel takes us on a more affordable (and drunken) journey this month and Fashion shows us what Dundee has to offer. Similarly, our Sports section is now under the control of Dundee Sports Union President Graeme, putting our sport in focus.
Faye Cawood
Anyway, I hope you enjoy this issue of The Magdalen - if so (or even if not) please tell us! All opinions are welcome.
Ciara McFadden
Michael Duncan Jane Garstin Sarah Gray Rosie Gudmunsen Ruth Hunter Paul McCallum Natasha McKim Gabriel Neil Melina Nicolaides Laura Smith
Editor
Graeme Spowart
themagdalen@dusa.co.uk
Martyn Sroka
P.S. Sea monsters on page 34. Really!
Graeme Thewliss
Travel Editors Kirsty Fergusson Christina Fueher
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Recycle your copy of The Magdalen
Campus News V&A designs unveiled
No.18 The Anonymous Issue October 2010
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not beat their world record due to the audience being slow to get in their seats. Nevertheless, a good time was had by all.
Dundee’s plan to expand the waterfront by reclaiming land from the Tay took an exciting leap forward last week as the
Dundee Careers fair
were unveiled. The project is to be
Dundee will be holding its annual Careers Fair in Bonar Hall on 26th of October between 11am and 2.30pm. There will be over 50 firms, course providers and professional bodies. The fair gives students a chance to meet companies and get advice on getting into the sector they would like to pursue a career in. The event is free and open to all students.
final six designs for the V&A Museum
completed by 2031 and will also feature a new railway station, central square, new parks and walks, and even an innovative water feature. The V&A
Museum will showcase some of the
best Scottish talent as well as work from
designers abroad. The six designs are all
cutting edge and have been submitted by
some of the most talented architects from around the world. The designs are being showcased in University of Abertay’s
Avast!
library until the 4th of November. The
Pirates of Penzance in 24 hours
say on the designs as well as getting
It’s common for a troupe of actors to spend anywhere between a month to a year rehearsing for a performance but not for the lovely folk at OPSOC. Oh no, they have given themselves the challenge of rehearsing and performing Gilbert and Sullivan’s operetta “Pirates of Penzance” in just 24 hours. The performance took place on Saturday, 2nd of October at the Whitehall Theatre, and all went swimmingly. There were a few forgotten lines, but we can forgive that due to effort they put in. The sleep deprived performers put on a brilliant show—though they, unfortunately, did
exhibition is free, and you can have your involved on the website.
SRC elections The new committee for the SRC has been elected and saw more than 1000 people vote, this is 3 times more than last years figure. The winners were as follows: SRC chairperson Iain Kennedy, SRC councillor without portfolio Max Hutchinson, Mitan Patel and Steven McGowan. Learning and teaching, Riada McCredie. Services and Facilities, Gill Smyth. 1st year learning and teaching, Alison Stangoe. 1st year services and facilities, Logan Bundy. International learning and teaching, Amjad Bhatti. International services and facilities, Anna Dimitrova. Postgraduate learning and teaching, Ana-Maria Daza. Postgraduate services and facilities, Shane MochrieCox. Mature student, Alison McLeod. Equality and welfare, Anjuli Jang. Environmental and sustainability, Catherine Robson. Well done to all candidates and the winners.
Discover Radio Sets Sail This month saw the launch of Dundee University’s radio station, Discover Radio. The launch took place in Liar bar on Tuesday 12th October. With the coming of the station, students now have another outlet where they can hear about campus life and issues, listen to everything from Mozart to Jay-Z, and let their creativity loose. With Discover Radio now joining the likes of DUSA TV and the (quite frankly amazing), Magdalen magazine, students have an even wider spectrum through which they can become involved with University happenings. The station is set to entertain students with all different interests and musical tastes, but be sure to catch the Magdalen show on Discover Radio every Monday.
The Magdalen
News: The episode of “Question Time,” aired on the 30th of September, was organised with respect to the Labour Party conference held in Manchester that week. Given that the programme inevitably focussed on the election of Ed Miliband as the new leader, this wasn’t a particularly exciting or contentious subject, but what was interesting was our rector, Brian Cox, was on the panel. Other panellists included: Labour leadership contender, Diane Abbot; Conservative MP, Grant Shapps; Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Simon Hughes; and historian, David Starkey. The panel was chaired, as always, by David Dimbleby. The panel on Question Time is usually comprised of five individuals who represent groups, political parties and ideologies from differing parts of the political and social spectrum. The broad spectrum of panellists was a reasonable effort to uphold the convention: there were three people each representing the three main political parties (of England), an actor and an academic. The first question for the panel—has labour shown that it’s back in the pockets of the unions, having elected Ed Miliband as leader?—was asked because Miliband allegedly received a significant amount of political and financial backing by trade unions. Abbot was alone in denying that Miliband was not in the pocket of the trade unions. She held that
Miliband was in the “broad mainstream of public thinking” and claimed that there were no “deals” with the unions. Shapps seemed to rock the boat early on by claiming “early indications” show that Miliband would take Labour “back to the left,” though there haven’t been any indications of this nature at all. Brian appeared to stare down Shapps for the rest of the programme. Still on the subject of funding, Brian took a broader approach in pointing out that UK politics has changed—much like US politics—in that special interest groups have gained considerable influence over political processes. The discussion became slightly heated when the topic of the UK having a “nuclear deterrent” arose. Brian was asked of his opinion on nuclear deterrent first and foremost, stating, “I don’t believe in a nuclear deterrent.” Contrasting with this comment was Starkey, who claimed that not to have a nuclear deterrent “with Iran” is “mad”, and that he wanted a “serious weapon” because the world is in a state of “profound insecurity.” Shapps agreed that the UK should have a nuclear weapon. Abbot and Hughes were both against the idea of the UK having a nuclear weapon. Despite certain panellists holding the same views in particular subjects, they all differed in their style of delivery. Some succeeded in putting forward their opinions well, some failed. Brian looked out of place on the panel being in the company of influential politicians. He appeared almost indifferent to the
discussion when not speaking, but showed patent annoyance at the rhetoric spouted by Starkey and Shapps. While Brian wasn’t attempting to persuade the audience like certain other members of the panel, his comments were the most consistently approved of by the audience.
BP Oil Spill Costs Over £7 Billion The cost of the BP oil spill cleanup in the Gulf of Mexico has risen to £7.1billion. This figure
covers the efforts of cleaning up the oil, sealing the well, dealing with Federal costs and paying compensation to people who have been affected by the spill. This number was released on the same day Bob Dudley took on the title of the company’s Chief Executive, succeeding Tony Hayward. Political pressure upon the embattled company eased after they formed the £13 billion pound fund to deal with the crisis. Dudley has created a new safety division to deal with the company’s poor record within the United States. He has also announced a management overhaul in the exploration, leading to the departure of Andy Inglis, head of the Exploration and Production Division in charge at the Gulf of Mexico. This departure was a necessary step in the company’s attempt to put the biggest offshore oil spill in history behind them and to rebuild their somewhat tarnished public image.
No.18 The Anonymous Issue October 2010
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ED AND
DAVID Band of Brothers: MILIBAND With the recent election of a new Labour leader, Loubna takes a look at the similarities and differences between the Miliband brothers, and why Ed was favoured to take on the role. David and Ed Miliband are the sons of a Marxist theorist, Ralph Miliband. The influence of their Marxist father is clearly demonstrated in their leftist views shown through their speeches. They went to the same university, studied the same course and eventually joined and worked in the same party. Their similarities are astonishing, which is what makes them competitive. David is the older brother with much more experience than Ed, but Ed has been regarded as the more academically gifted son. David was involved in the general election of 1997 under Tony Blair, and then went on to work as the Foreign Secretary under Gordon Brown. Ed on the other hand had a slightly less ‘high status’ job, working as the Climate Change and Energy Secretary under Gordon Brown. Why then, was Ed viewed as a better candidate for the job by the party? It has to be said that the win was a very marginal one of just 50.6%, so far from a unanimous election. In fact the election was so close it was believed that David was the frontrunner, so to many it came as a surprise that he was not the winner. David Miliband worked as Head of Policy under Tony Blair in 1994-1997, meaning that he was the one in charge of creating policies for the party. These policies proved to be successful as it helped the party get elected for government. From 1997-2001 he was promoted to Head of the Prime Minister’s Policy Unit. Until the election he served as the Foreign Secretary. Ed Miliband has been highly praised by green activists for his work as the Climate Change and Energy Secretary. He is well known for being David’s younger brother as he quoted himself being referred to as “the other Miliband”. Ed is unmarried with a son, and proclaims he doesn’t believe in God, which has raised some level of controversy. These facts could be why his slogan reads that he represents the new generation. Like his brother, Ed had many roles within Labour. His first role was as a speechwriter and researcher for both Harriet Harman, and Gordon Brown.
He worked his way up throughout the years to eventually be promoted to the Cabinet, meaning he was in charge of drafting the next general election. Gathered from Ed’s speech made on June 29th 2010, he mainly speaks about equality - his main priority. He holds a very leftist view and stated that instead of giving up on equality, “we can take another road. All of the evidence from around the world is that those countries that are healthier, where people live longer and people are happier are those that are less unequal.” He cleverly outlined the decisions he had made in the Labour Party assuring people that despite having worked under the New Labour he would not repeat the same mistakes, “we will need to learn lessons from our past and do things in a different way.” Concerning education, Ed supports the idea of a graduate tax. If a graduate tax was to be implemented, that would mean that education would be free until delivery. So, the system of the student loans would be capped, and students would not have to make the decision of which university to go to based on what they can or cannot afford. It would also benefit those from a working class background, as they usually fear the debt coming from tuition fees. However, there is criticism of the system as there are a number of ways students could escape from paying graduate tax. One would be that before graduating, they could transfer to a university in another country and finish their degree there, or they could simply choose to not graduate. Also the amount of graduate tax to be paid is unclear and uncertain, so it could prove to be more detrimental to students. David Miliband’s slogan was “we mustn’t just talk about change; we need to actually make it happen.” In relation to education, David takes a
different approach to Ed. He does not support or indeed even mention the idea of graduate tax, and instead he decides to tackle education from within the schools. He sees the problem of working class students not going through with education to do with the environment they live in, as he said; it depends on where they are born to how they end up. His solution therefore would be “recruiting the best teachers to the toughest schools, focusing pupils on learning not simply on exams, and expanding higher education and apprenticeships.” He does not necessarily address the problem of student debts; his main concern is the amount of students going into Higher Education. He praises the way the education system works and said that despite the improvement it needs, it has come a long way. “The current system has some problems but it is one of the most generous in the world and I am pleased that more students from poorer families should be going to university.” David created a mini-manifesto, which is a list of the changes he would make, one of them stating that “no one who works hard should live in poverty,” which is again a different approach to Ed’s equality vision as David believes that only the ones who work hard should be rewarded and not live in poverty. This then bearing the question of what is the definition of “working hard”? In most of his points there seems to be a lot of questions as to what he means exactly. David also used his experience in the party as a way of assuring people that he knows what the right approaches are. He said in his speech on the 22nd of May 2010, “we need to understand how the country changed from 1997,” reminding people that he was there and is the more experienced man for the job. Personally I think that the reason for Ed being favoured more than David is due to his clear stance on issues. David took the more tactile approach where he kept his views brief and concise with a lot of questions left unanswered. Therefore the safer option was indeed Ed Miliband as not only were his opinions representative of the party, but the hows and whys were answered.
By Loubna Ali
The Magdalen
Societies:
For all you wannabe actors, actresses, camera men, script writers (or any of you at Dundee who are not just here to get a degree, but actually passing the time until you fulfil your life-long dreams of making it big in the film production industry), get excited. We have found the society for you! DUSA, that’s Dundee University Students’ Association, has recently funded our very own, first student-run television media outlet. DUSA TV is an organisation where you develop skills in the film making process through actually participating in projects created by either yourself or other members of the team. “You work together to try and produce something that’s really good, and you end up bouncing off each other’s ideas and really end up learning something useful,” stated J.J Cranston, Head of Production. DUSA TV was created a few years ago but really kicked off halfway through last
Melina Nicolaides
Investigates...
year when the team went from filming nights out at the Union to writing, filming, editing and acting in DUSA’s first student soap opera—a little project you might have heard of or seen called SKINT. For all of you that follow SKINT, the premiere of the third and final episode will be airing around December. You can watch it on YouTube or DUSA TV’s own website www.dusa.tv. After attending the last writers meeting, it seems as though next on the books are smaller projects. However, nothing is finalized so feel free to run along to the next meeting if you have any ideas and get involved! President of DUSA TV, Steven Fullerton, stated, “We’re really looking for people to get involved in every aspect of it.” As for the ultimate goal of DUSA TV? It’s to begin collaborating with other universities and to host the first studentrun university film festival in Scotland. Think Cannes but colder.
No.18 The Anonymous Issue October 2010
The Magdalen DUSA President Resigns Read exclusive interviews. Get the full picture. Deeatribe factfile:
What is Deeatribe? R.Hunter The Deeatribe was a public wordpress blog active during September 2010. The writers of the blog were anonymous and advocated themselves as a more radical, alternative form of student publication to The Magdalen that would stir up more debate on campus and publish ‘the coarse undiluted truth.’ ‘The Deeatribe exists as an alternative to the terrifyingly bland present; it comes with a naked and striking mission to change the face of student media on campus and to challenge the basis of the Magdalen’s existence.’ The blog held an extreme anti-DUSA stance, viciously criticizing every aspect of the workings of DUSA they felt were not up to scratch. From the safe, judgmental womb of their anonymity they freely condemned the workings of DARE, the SRC, the Exec, The Christian Union and of course our very own Magdalen. Their criticisms were made with amusing and often vivid imagery leaning on the satirical. DUSA’s initial response to the blog was welcoming:
‘In all seriousness, we fully support The Magdalen, DARE and The Christian Union … All of these groups offer opportunities, recreational activity and are an invaluable part of our student community. But so are you, dear Deeatribe, and feel safe in the knowledge that this executive will fully support your right to freedom of speech.’ (20th September 2010) However many groups and individuals felt that the extremity of the blog’s criticisms required a stronger response and felt let down by DUSA’s lack of support on their part. DUSA responded again on 22nd September 2010:
“At this point we want to clarify that student societies, freedom of speech and debate are the heart of the student community. However, we will not lend credibility to an anonymous blog. If the Deeatribe wishes any further coverage or response from DUSA then those responsible must lift the mask of anonymity and confirm that they are in fact Dundee students. The societies specifically mentioned in the Deeatribe are two of our biggest and most active societies. The Executive want to reiterate that these societies will have the full support of DUSA. The Deeatribe’s attacks were infantile, ill-informed and abusive. We will not accept that
kind of behaviour and would like to remind students that we are all part of one community. We must act with respect and treat each other with dignity when we have disagreements or debate.” The facts surrounding the blog are vague. To this day none of the DUSA organisations attacked in the blog have themselves publically responded to its accusations, preferring not to enter in to debate with an anonymous opponent(s). It is unknown if the criticisms in the blog were made from a specific political or moral stance. It is also unknown exactly the number of people who created and contributed to the blog, though there are many rumours that exist to this affect. It is speculated that possibly 300 people in total viewed the blog during its publication though this number again, is debated. The blog became private at the end of September just before the presidential resignation controversy. It is once again unknown why exactly the blog chose to become private following this event but there are as I say, too many rumours and not enough facts. For more information on the conduct of CU, please see page 12.
See DAREdundee.wordpress.com for information on the society, or check out our website for a direct message from DARE.
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The Magdalen
Craig Kelly: An Interview Right to be wrong? Jane Garstin
The controversial turn of events regarding Craig Kelly’s resignation as President of DUSA have been the centre of most discussions around campus of late. As a member of The Magdalen and as someone who relishes in a good debate, I jumped at the opportunity to interview Mr Kelly himself. I would like to stress to the students who are either well-informed of this dispute or who know very little to nothing, that this was my very first encounter with Craig. However, it was almost impossible not to form preconceived ideas on the affair after Dundee’s local newspaper, The Courier published the series of events, quoting Craig on a number of issues concerning his abdication. Nevertheless I felt after reading the article I was no better informed of what really went on behind closed doors. I believe that the questions that lie on most students’ tongues are ‘What exactly was Craig Kelly’s involvement with Deeatribe?’ and ‘Why did it lead to his resignation?’ Having spoken to both Craig and a member of the executive, it seems that the truth has been disguised and answers to these questions of ours remain vague. All I can account for is my own interpretation of the event which stemmed from a series of discussions with both parties. So what exactly was Craig’s involvement with the Deeatribe? A blog in which Craig himself describes as ‘a satirical look at student life’. The ‘ill-informed’ attacks which were made at several organisations within the University were understood by Craig as being ‘on a whole very tongue in cheek’. I found it interesting that when posed the question, “did
you have anything to do with these attacks?”, his answer was “No. At this stage I had no involvement at all and I was expecting it to blow over”. He continued to explicate how the blog materialised and he explained his “partial involvement” with it. Craig expanded on his previous statement, which was printed in The Courier saying “I had knowledge of the origins and continuation of the blog”, by declaring that his only engagement with it was by responding via DUSA and that he knew who the creator of the blog was as it emerged after having certain discussions with a friend. “As soon as I saw it, it clicked automatically who it was. I had suspicions, which was a half truth. I knew”. As President, Craig “fundamentally supported the students’ rights to freedom of speech” and in his manifesto he aimed not only to raise DUSA’s awareness, but to liaise with the University to ensure the student voice is heard at every level of decision making on campus. He strongly believes that “University is the time in your life when you can question anything you want” and “think the things you want”. He has stressed the political message in his manifesto that we, as students, must get involved, as this is “vital for the success of our university”. I do not believe we will obtain a direct answer from Craig about his involvement, however I think we should appreciate and accept his apology and the fact that he has accepted his changes in circumstances with grace. I asked Craig did he regret anything retrospectively and he replied saying:
One hundred per “ cent. I regret not telling
the executive about the blog. I’ve been very clear along the way that I accept full responsibility for my actions and I apologise sincerely and professionally to the executive for that.
”
Craig’s aspirations for productivity within DUSA remain active and although he has stepped down from his position as President, he does not harbour any bitterness. Although he was an “integral part to the path the executive are currently on” he hopes that “they successfully continue with the projects that were started” during his time. I would have liked to have provided a straight cut answer to this debate, but I have concluded that this is almost impossible. I hope that if anything can prosper from this, it will be the awareness on campus of the perspiration that is involved to ameliorate our student life and more importantly, our involvement. Craig would like to take this moment to “thank the incredible support” which he has received during this time and to the executive who he has worked considerably hard with. I would like to wish Craig all the best in his final year at University and the executive who continue to better our student experience.
No.18 The Anonymous Issue October 2010
Press Statement: This unfortunate event has come about as it became clear a couple of weeks ago that the DUSA President Craig Kelly was involved with a student blog entitled ‘the Deeatribe’. The blog made damaging accusations against a number of significant groups on campus. The blog began with fairly innocuous content, and the organisation supported their right to speak freely. However, it soon began making ill-informed and potentially damaging accusations against our affiliates - and DUSA accordingly began to openly criticise the blog. DUSA is a
student organisation, and it will stand up for it members.
Subsequently it was revealed to the DUSA Board of Trustees, that the President had some level of involvement with this blog’s creation and content. An investigation was undertaken for the period of one week. At this point, the Board took time to consider the content of the blog, the extent of the President’s involvement, and the legal obligations of a charity trustee. As an outcome of this investigation, the President tendered his resignation. He accepted that he was obligated to be forthcoming with his knowledge of the blog from the very beginning. The DUSA Board of Trustees respectfully accepted his resignation and, whilst acknowledging the significant contribution Craig had made to DUSA, accepted that his role had become untenable in a number of areas.
It must be emphasised that the greatest issue of concern here was not the content of the blog. Whilst acknowledging that much of the content was malicious and ill-informed, DUSA fully respect students’ freedom of speech and encourage them to voice their opinions at all times. The President had been pressed to divulge information regarding the blog on a number of occasions by his colleagues and refused to do so, denying all involvement - simultaneously releasing press statements on DUSA’s behalf concerning the Deeatribe. When it came to light that the President had been aware of the blog from the most initial stages of its creation, and had potentially been involved with some of its content, it became clear that the he had not taken DUSA’s interests into consideration when acting, something that as a charity trustee he is obliged to do. It was with this in mind that Craig tendered his resignation. The DUSA Board of Trustees have been saddened by these events, and the President’s six colleagues on the DUSA Executive have had to deal with some significant personal issues these past two weeks. Nobody wanted this to happen, and it is important to highlight the impressive work that the team had achieved so far – a team that Craig played a significant role within. It must be acknowledged that the dissemination of information around these events should have been handled better by DUSA. A local newspaper printed the
story before students had been informed via an article on www.dusa.co.uk. These are mistakes that we must, and will, learn from. The sensitive nature of the topic, and the short notice at which DUSA had to deal with media enquiries required immediate action. This was both a unique and difficult set of events. Unfortunately this meant that students were not informed in the timely manner that they deserved. For this we apologise and guarantee that DUSA will rectify this problem, to ensure that students are always aware of what’s happening on campus. Going forward, we must consider how DUSA approaches the rest of the year. So far, the Executive team have distributed projects and caught up on all ongoing work. There is common questioning of how an organisation functions without a President. It is worth explaining that the Executive is not entirely a hierarchical structure with the President on top. The Executive is part of a Board of Trustees, including six highly qualified external members. Each member has an equal say in how the charity operates. The separate positions only exist to specify which member addresses which of the charity’s specific functions. For example, the Vice President of Communications handles DUSA’s media outlets and communications strategy and the Vice President of Student Activities facilitates student societies. The role of President is principally that of a figurehead. It makes sense that only one person is perceived to be the spokesperson of the organisation,
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The Magdalen
CU Speak! Continued from page 9 in the same way that it makes sense for only one person to oversee Welfare initiatives. Of course the Executive roles don’t stop at these functions; they each have equal say in how DUSA is managed on a daily basis, and indeed in the long term direction of the charity. It is important to understand that while DUSA may have lost a valued member of the team, it has not lost its leader. It must be emphasised that absolutely no projects will be discontinued and we will work to achieve the plans we highlighted in our Manifesto. A by-election for the role is unfeasible considering the full-time sabbatical nature of the role and the academic commitments of students. It is unlikely a new President could be in place before the start of Semester 2 and that would leave around 60 days until the next President for 201112 is elected. Constitutionally the Deputy President is required to deputise for the President in instances where they become unavailable. In this case DUSA believe this is the most appropriate course of action, practically and constitutionally. We thank you all for your support in what has been a difficult time. We must also thank Craig for the contribution he made to the Students’ Association. DUSA will only go from strength to strength in the coming months. These are exciting times, with the launch of a brand new student radio station on October 12th and the Rector’s Installation fast approaching. In addition to that, DUSA have a massive amount of exciting events and campaigns planned for you this semester and beyond. If there are any questions we can answer, or anything at all we can do for you – please remember you can always contact us at dusa@dusa.co.uk For specific contact details please visit www.dusa.co.uk
Dundee University Students’ Association
As one of the largest societies on campus, the Dundee University Christian Union represents a large proportion of the students at the University of Dundee. We are linked with Christian unions across the United Kingdom through the University and Colleges Christian Fellowship (UCCF) and are part of their work all around the world. We meet every week at 8pm in the chaplaincy for a time of Bible study, prayer and praise. This meeting is called ‘Equip’ and is open to every member of the University of Dundee and we also have some who join us from the University of Abertay and Dundee College. The executive committee also meet weekly to plan events and Equip. Members of DUSA committee have attended both committee meetings and Equip and are therefore able to verify what we do. You too are more than welcome to attend and see for yourself, but don’t forget your cardigan… Our ‘secret’ committee meetings are all recorded, as according to our constitution, and all members of DUCU are entitled to view minutes of these meetings. In this way, DUCU welcomes active participation, queries and comments from all members. Our constitution also outlines fully our election process. This process is democratic: every member of DUCU has the opportunity to suggest other members for a position on committee, and thus has equal opportunity to take part, the hallmark of democracy. The view portrayed in the blog, that as a society we are of no benefit to the university, is highly inaccurate.
Whilst there are many societies on campus, very few exist for the benefit of non-members. We claim that we do, because our mission statement - the same as that of all Christian unions - “we exist to give every student the opportunity to hear and respond to the gospel of Jesus Christ” requires us to be practical around campus. This can be seen primarily in helping freshers to move in as they arrive and our fortnightly hot chocolate stand outside the Union. Further, all university students, regardless of faith are welcome to attend any of our events. We seek to present the gospel in a clear and relevant way in order to encourage students to think for themselves about big issues.
DUCU executive committee
Note from The Magdalen We hope this has riled you in some way shape or form. Please get involved in debate, specifically using our wonderful blog. If anything has particularly struck a nerve, you can email The Magdalen at themagdalen@dusa.co.uk
You may even get your views published!
No.18 The Anonymous Issue October 2010
Anon?
Paul McCallum
“I have a dream” – would these words ever have been so moving if they had just appeared in the world; if they hadn’t come from such a powerful orator. On the flip side, would the symbology of the Wizard from Oz have been so fantastic if he hadn’t hidden behind his curtain. Anonymity is something that can strike fear into the hearts of the people in charge and at the same time whip the community into a hysterical frenzy.
Sadly anonymity can also inspire people to say and do despicable things. If anybody has had the misfortune of stumbling onto anonymous forum ‘4chan’ late at night, when the “moderators are sleeping”, you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about. The lights go dark and the creatures of the night crawl out of their holes, to swap everything that society finds abhorrent, from racist remarks to child pornography. 4chan does however seem to have a level of consciousness of what it’s doing. Some would say that child pornography is always too far, but 4chan believes that because it can look retrospectively and say “we went too far”, then everything is fine. There is only one time in recorded history that 4chan admitted this. Last March a seventeen-year-old girl posted pictures of herself topless on 4chan’s B forum. Instead of just looking at it and thinking “that is a lovely body part”, somebody thought it would be a good idea to find the girl on Facebook and send the pictures to all of her family. Admittedly, I find this quite funny, but that’s not what this article is about. This article is about anonymity and this story raises an interesting question about it: in an environment where the collective is anonymous, have you got more power by remaining anonymous. This raises even more questions about the people who stepped forward and argued against the Nazis, but then again I realise that this discussion started with a misguided pair of breasts, so I wont get carried away.
Does anybody else just wish that the wizard in The Wizard of Oz had stayed behind his little curtain? As a child, I was more scared of the frail old man who walked out from his ridiculous cupboard, than I was of the giant green face surrounded by fire. The Wizard of Oz is another great example of anonymity giving people power. The wizard himself was just an old man, but by keeping his identity hidden, hysterical stories of his power had spread throughout the creepy world of Oz. He was looked at with such reverence, as if he were a God; with somebody who believed he could make them a human heart, which would be fully functioning inside a body of tin. What would the heart do? What’s the point? I’m getting annoyed. I never believed there was any place for anonymity until I saw PostSecret. com. Post Secret is a website that daily posts anonymous secrets that people send to them, written on postcards; I’ve lived in San Francisco since I was young. I am illegal. I am not wanted here. I don’t belong anywhere. This Summer I plan to jump off the Golden Gate. In June of this year, the above post appeared on PostSecret. Within one day 20,000 anonymous voices had responded with words of hope. Even more people made pilgrimage to the Golden Gate Bridge across the summer, leaving their own post secrets and messages of hope. This is truly a beautiful and inspiring thing, but then again, because it was anonymous nobody knows what happened to the man. We can only hope that the poor man knew that all of these people were wishing him anonymous luck. I’ve been told by a reliable source that people do treat post secret as a sort of therapy and it does help to know that people care, so I shouldn’t be too
flippant about it. BUT does the anonymity really add anything to the effect of therapy? I don’t think it does. People have therapy every day that’s proven medically to help and I don’t think it would be any better if they used pseudonyms; “Are you comfortable? Just pretend you’re at home. It’ll be easier, if we speak as friends. So firstly, what’s your name?” “Just call me X” – it wouldn’t help in the slightest. Although anonymity has given us great symbology; be it in The Wizard of Oz, PostSecret or the briefcase in Pulp Fiction (yes, it is character. His name is Jim MacGuffin. Wanna argue? Well don’t, these are just words) has it ever done anything good? Has anything especially good ever come from any anonymous source? Other than Batman, I don’t know.
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Musical Anonymity
No.18 The Anonymous Issue October 2010
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or why musicians shouldn’t be celebrities. by Gabriel Neil Do we need a face to put with the music we love? To enjoy music do we need to associate it with a personality? Artists such as Kylie and Beyoncé have become known not only as artists, but as “personalities”, celebrities. Even their music is defined along side their first names, as if to make them seem like your best friend. With seemingly endless stories running about these people in such reputable periodicals as Heat and Now magazines, their faces used on adverts seen all over the world, these are more than just musicians, they are characters in their own soap operas. The music on its own, we seem to be told, is not enough, we need to know these people. But if that is what we all really want, how does the success of artists such as Daft Punk or Slipknot fit in? These are bands that have actively tried to separate their personalities from the music they create, through the use of masks and on-stage personas; they allow the music to speak for itself. Yet they have achieved huge success without having to resort to advertising perfume to maintain their popularity (it is probably best not to think about what a Slipknot-backed perfume would smell like). Similarly, many bands and artists come across as being rather unpleasant people, somebody you wouldn’t want to meet (Axl Rose of Guns ‘n’ Roses or, well, anyone from The Sex Pistols being very good examples) who have never had to endorse products to make their music popular, or even ever had to act like a vaguely nice, approachable people. In the more obscure areas of heavy metal, face paint and fantastical outfits are the norm, separating the artist themselves from the music; letting the music influence how the artist is viewed, and these bands can have almost fanatical followings.
It is not just in music that we find this. For centuries people have been enjoying paintings without giving a damn about what kind of clothes the person who made it wears. Even in our modern age of constant surveillance, the graffiti artist Banksy can work in total anonymity and gain huge popularity. We don’t want to know who Banksy is; we don’t want him to get caught, because it would spoil the pranksterish fun of the art itself.
we wouldn’t be able to enjoy the work of the artist as much. If we feel we need to know about somebody to gain something from their work, then we are more open to buying sunglasses worn by our favourite pop star, we feel part of their world suddenly. The more we think we know about celebrities, the less anonymity we are prepared to accept from them, the closer we may feel to the “glamour” of their lives.
The fact is that all this over-exposure of musical artists is totally superfluous. We don’t need it at all, the people who do need it, the people to manufacture perfume, sunglasses, gossip mags and whatever else is arbitrarily considered fashionable, want us to think that without all the endorsements and publicity
But as we can see, people find it perfectly easy to enjoy music, whilst being totally divorced from the personalities making it. Music can speak to us so easily exactly because it can be divorced from the individual artists and interpreted in innumerable ways. We don’t need to think we can join them on their ridiculous lives to be able to gain something from their music. If an artist needs to look a certain way and wear certain clothes to sell their music, then there is a good chance that their music doesn’t really have anything to say at all, else it would just be able to stand on its own merits, the most famous musicians in the world are usually the least original, they’re safe so they can be used to sell useless tat to the rest of us. So more anonymous musicians please, we’ve got enough sunglasses, but not enough music.
DUNDEE Currently in Scotland there are 52,000 design students with no place to showcase their talent. The redevelopment of Dundee’s waterfront to include the V&A museum will give these students a platform to display their work. The £42 million pound development will include a brand new V&A museum (the second in the United Kingdom), as well as parks and café’s. The city of Dundee was chosen due to both its involvement in the games industry and the prestige of our very own Duncan of Jordanstone College if Art and Design- one of the best art schools in the country. The museum will showcase a range of Scottish design talent as well as pieces by contemporary designs from across the world. The gallery will also feature installations taken from the Victorian and Albert Museum in London, which will change on a six monthly basis. Another exciting addition to the waterfront museum is an area where the public can see artists and designers at work, which seems quite a novel approach to art. There will be
a range of educational projects staged at the museum that will target children from primary up to 6th form Scotland wide. Ciara McFadden and Faye Cawood caught up with Georgina Follett to talk about the project and her involvement with it. Georgina’s role within the project is to “develop the content and organise what happens within the building.” Essentially she looks after exhibitions, events, and forms then maintains relationships with students, schools and the general public. There have been questions asked as to why V&A chose Dundee as opposed to any of the other major Scottish cities. Georgina told us that she feels Dundee is “unique” due to its two universities. Georgina also commented, “Duncan of Jordanstone
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is acknowledged as a really high flying college of art and design”. She feels that the waterfront development was a great opportunity for the V&A as Dundee has the space and the picturesque location, not to mention the ability for them to make the biggest possible impact, as they are not in competition with any other galleries. An interesting and innovative method has been applied to deciding the design of the building that will house the exhibitions. The choice has not yet been confirmed as it is up to the people of Dundee and
C
B
No.18 The Anonymous Issue October 2010
the rest of Scotland. To find your favourite of the plans, the final shortlist of six designs is on display at Abertay University library until the start of November. They are also available online. The six designs are from world renowned architects and feature some strikingly contemporary designs. When asked her favourite design, Georgina was unable to comment, though did reply; “What it looks like is not that important to me. What it [the building] does is really important.” Ms Follett did say that there were four buildings that she favoured but could not pick just one. She suggested that the development will “make such a difference to the cultural provision”. Public opinion seems to match Georgina’s as there are four designs on the blogs that are receiving a lot of attention. The initial public response to the project has been “absolutely amazing” according to Georgina. The statistics show that over 7,000 people have visited the current exhibition and over 15,000 have viewed the designs online. Georgina is
“pretty damn fast!” The timeline on her office wall confirms this, with plans made as far ahead as 2014. The building of the gallery will start next year and is expected to open at the end of 2014. “I’m not sure you could do it any faster. I feel as if I’m running all the time.”
Design A:
Georgina views the project as a “once in a lifetime opportunity” and considers herself “privilege[d] to be able to do it”.
Design C:
The V&A aims to showcase Scottish designs and talent. Georgina wants to ensure that whenever you visit the gallery there will be something interesting to see. The gallery is encouraging student visitors by not having an entrance fee, as well as providing an interesting and inspiring meeting place. Georgina is of the opinion that this project is “amazing for the city… for Scotland. It fulfills a missing gap in provision.”
Design D:
We agree that the project will be beneficial for Dundee and enhance its overall culture. We look forward to watching the development of the gallery and especially can’t wait to see the end result.
Delugan Meissl Design B:
Kengo Kuma REX
SnØhetta Design E:
Steven Holl Design F:
Sutherland Hussey
V&A DUNDEE
DESIGN IMAGES COURTESY OF:
incredibly pleased with the rate of development, describing it as
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vandaatdundee. com/your-future
E
F
No.18 The Anonymous Issue October 2010
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U C University Challenge 1-1
Staff – v – Students So we’re into the third year of University Challenge and the score is tied at one each. The first year saw victory for the students, but last year the staff roared back from a hundred point deficit to defeat the students on their last set of bonus questions. Sadly the student’s knowledge of Rudi Dassler and his ‘Speed of the Puma’ shoes let them down. Last years event was a great success with a fantastic audience watching BBC Scotland’s political editor Brian Taylor run the rule over the two teams. All the money raised last year was donated to the Vine Trust. This year, we hope to raise even more for the Disasters Emergency Committee. The DEC is an umbrella organisation for thirteen humanitarian aid agencies, including Oxfam, Islamic Relief and the British Red Cross. At times of overseas emergency, the DEC brings together a unique alliance of the UK’s aid, corporate, public and broadcasting sectors to work together in order to ensure that the money which is raised as a combined effort is spent as
effectively and as quickly as possible. The DEC has been working since 1963 and in the past few years has acted quickly in order to provide aid for some of the most vulnerable people on earth. The DEC’s latest appeal is for the floods in Pakistan, where over 20 million people have been affected. They have also been raising money in the aftermath of the Haiti earthquake as well as Vietnam, the Philippines and Indonesia.
we did really enjoy ourselves last year. Since this is my last year at University somebody else will have to take over next year so I hope students really engage with it and want to take part.” It seems that the students are taking it seriously this year, and we will have to see whether or not the staff are up to the challenge.
Returning captain of the student team, Gary Cocker is clearly excited and looking to put one over on the staff:
University Challenge, Staff – vs – Students is on October 21st at 6pm and will be hosted in the Dalhousie Building. Tickets are free and all donations to the Disasters Emergency Committee are very welcome.
“My team and I can’t wait to (hopefully) exact our revenge on the staff this year. Having stormed into a 90-point lead only to throw it away, we’re determined to put the past behind us this year and return the trophy to student hands.”
Cocker added, “We had a lot of fun last year despite our loss and
The Magdalen
Music: Let me guess, you’ve just left a sociology lecture, or a tedious psychology tutorial, or maybe you’ve just woken up with a condom slapped against your chin. Let’s face it, we’ve all been there.
Uni life can be the best fun at times, but where do you go when you’re looking to cool down a bit and get back to earth after the hysteria that University life can bring? You’ve tried coffee to wake you, but it just makes you shaky. You decided to hit the gym, but too many sweaty jockstraps make you feel a bit sick. The last hope is the bar, but you can’t buy a bottle because you spent the last of your cash on chips, cheese and gravy! Well masses, I offer you a chilled, sweet slice of relief. This is The Magdalen Music page, and through the course of the year this is the place that you can come and rest your Redbull-sozzled brain.
So what can you expect from the music page? This is your musique numero uno. Your beat-box for the city, your soul vibe, the underbelly of punky grime, your vibratory booty shake, your mega jazz flutefull safari, your rude boy relief, your dubstep to musical nirvana so to speak. This page will speak to you about all the music happenings of the moment. We’ll review the musical gigs you probably should have seen but missed. We’ll review and rate all those albums that you never really got round to listening to. We’ll dabble into all the marvels of the music world, from the top music festivals to the latest musical talents. We will OWN music. It’s going to be top-drawer, and we want you involved too!
simply stupid, sunglassed eyes and say “I’m better at everything musical than you” (which wouldn’t be hard), we want you on these pages! If you recently discovered you can make a weird sound with nothing but a spatula and your pet chinchilla (hell, that would be hilarious) we want you on these pages! To get involved couldn’t be easier. Simply get in touch at themagdalen@dusa.co.uk The Music page is highly interested in anyone with anything to say musically. Reviews, previews and demos welcome. Sound files or YouTube links can be placed on the online page and can also be sent in. We are looking forward to hearing from you!
If you make Jimi Hendrix look like a wet gypsy, we want you on these pages! If you can look Bono right in his quite
MUSIC
NEWS If you’re anything like me, you will have had a blast at uni so far: writing all those notes, getting into extra curricular activities, hitting as much as possible in Freshers’ week (take that as you will), but now the momentum of the event has died down and you fancy a breather. Well it’s time for the musical news:
First off, a sad story about a musician close to my musical bones. Russell Lissack, the guitarist who is best known for his work with Bloc Party (Bloc Party, what happened there then? They make the killer debut album Silent Alarm and then work all they can on losing their fresh, energetic appeal: ‘I Still Remember’, I still remember them being half decent!), has been taken to hospital after being attacked by a lion. Lissack was bitten by a cub during a visit to an African sanctuary in Cape Town with Tom Wheeler, the Ash frontman whom Lissack is touring with. He was later taken to hospital where he was given a tetanus booster and has fully recovered. I say recovered, but let’s hope that even with his mangled mitt and Matt Tong’s missing lung, the band can finally make another good song!
No.18 The Anonymous Issue October 2010
Next up, meter-maid loving Paul McCartney has been round the post office sending a letter to George Michael. The letter is to lift George’s spirits after receiving eight weeks in jail for crashing a car while high. I suspect the letter will not be needed though, as George has enough soap dropping scenarios to keep him busy…and happy, for a long time.
Finally, Lady Gaga recently joined Yoko Ono on-stage in LA. The duo sang the last two songs of the set together before finishing their set lying on top of a piano. With Gaga’s artistic creationism and Yoko’s eccentricity, I was rather hoping they would end up underneath it.
MusicFeature: This week’s feature: the ins and outs of Dubstep. Dubstep...What the hell is that? Dubstep is a genre of music that has its origins in the basement clubs of London. As with most dance genres, it is the bass lines that contribute a lot to the music. Most tracks are remixes. The added muted “thwumps”—iconic to Dubstep—give the dancing listener a chance to flow and grind accordingly. Imagine a hybrid robot made out of elastic bands and you’re halfway there. The whole scene is in its infant stages, with the best quality streams being UKF Dubstep and Quantum Dubstep, both of which have channels on YouTube. I first found Dubstep on Radio 1 Wednesday nights with Zane Lowe. I have also recently heard songs on Annie Mac’s Friday night show and Ibiza rocks. Trust me, this will grow on you! Enough of the explanation though, the proof of the pudding is in the eating. Go to our website for a tasty playlist -hope you enjoy them. I’ve put in a selection of differing artists and genres so you get the hang of it, and depending on the size of your
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subwoofer, I hope your intestines are still in place. Tune in next month for the start of the 100 albums you MUST own, as well as reader comments and where to go for music in Dundee, buyers special. Also, ever heard of Funkylion? Thought not, but fear not, I’m in the process of getting them to gig at the union. Seriously, if Jimi Hendrix met Steve Vai and they had a baby, and if James Brown met Eric Clapton and they had a baby, and then somehow those babies hooked up: Funkylion would be the result! This has been Martyn Sroka, Music Editor of The Magdalen, signing off till next month. Breathe easy Dundee, you’re all legendary!
The
Grey
Box: GET INTERACTIVE
Do you agree with Martyn? Probably not! Vent your musical rants here!
Get angry, get heard and get printed!
The Magdalen
Music Review: GIG – TWILIGHT SAD, ERRORS, PENSIONER VENUE – DOGHOUSE DATE – THURSDAY 30TH SEPTEMBER
Dundee has changed. Gone are the days when indie bands rioted across the city and the lead guitar riff was king. For better or worse, music in Dundee has moved on. Now, there is a bigger audience for the more left field, experimental artists, and tonight’s gig at The Doghouse was proof. A capacity crowd in this old grungy church was a perfect setting for the Errors and Twilight Sad’s co-headline tour coming to town. Attracting new, young, successful acts to the city is what the Doghouse does best, and makes it stand apart from Dundee’s other music venues. With both of these bands having achieved high levels of success over the past year and now enjoying cult status amongst music lovers in Scotland and beyond, there was great anticipation before the gig. Pensioner was the opening act. The Dundee four-piece blistered through their loud and articulate alt rock set with plenty of energy and enthusiasm. The vocal-less thrashing of the amusingly named “Gadgie Wedding” served as a highlight. During the last song of the set, two of the band members ventured into the crowd and played amongst the punters before launching their guitars back towards the stage—an enthralling end to their set and a great start to the gig. Definitely worth checking out at Dukes Corner on the 9th of October. Errors played next, and as soon as they began the room was filled from floor to ceiling with pulsing synth bass lines, hypnotic guitar riffs and looped samples of their purely instrumental set. As well as musical staples of guitar, drum and synth, Errors pulled out an impressive array of instruments which added to the
sound and the spectacle of the live performance. Despite the lack of vocals in their songs, we were treated to a few words from the band... “Last night in Aberdeen I got in fight with a guy by the merchandise stall because my chat was so shite. So let’s just get on with it,” exclaimed band member Steven Livingstone. And so they did. And the crowd loved it. The noise coming from the stage was an immense warehouse of drum synth fuelled, euro-electronica that could have easily come from somewhere beneath the streets of Berlin. But fortunately for us it was from Glasgow, and it was in Dundee. The band’s latest release is an EP of remixes by the likes of Mogwai, and their tour mates, The Twilight Sad, from their previous recording “Come Down With Me”. The name of the last album lends itself nicely to the title of their new one... “Celebrity Come Down With Me”. The Twilight Sad headlined the gig with a powerful set of noisy, shoegazing folk anthems. On record, this band can produce some intricate moments of musical tenderness, but their live show is a completely different animal. The singer coloured every lyric with a thick Glasgow accent over stirring guitar sounds and a big, BIG, ground bass. With these components The Twilight Sad may sound reminiscent of a darker Glasvegas. The drums, however, gave the music a higher energy that made any comparison fleeting. The last song of the set “Cold Days From The Birdhouse” was an absolute
screamer of a tune. It built up from a trickle of instruments and some sparse, passionate lyrics (sparking a sing-a-long from the die hard fans at the front) into an almighty thunder cloud clap that had the Doghouse bursting at the seams. By the end, the Doghouse was shouting for more from the Glasgow four-piece, but it seemed nothing could have bettered the ending. This gig showed why these bands are two of Scotland’s favourite young acts. The inventiveness of their songs and the power with which they were delivered made this gig a joy to witness. The line up was definitely a break away from the indie roots of the Doghouse, and ushered in what is to be an eclectic month ahead for one of Dundee’s top music venues. The Twilight Sad were on campus recently to do a live session for Dundee University’s Discover Radio. Go to www.discoverradio.org to hear The Twilight Sad perform a stripped down live set, including tracks from their new release ‘The Wrong Car’, and an interview with the band.
No.18 The Anonymous Issue October 2010
DUKES CORNER Stylish bar where the drinks are expensive but the gigs are free!
DROUTHY’S & ART BAR are up this end of town. Two great venues for quit acoustic nights and loud guerilla gigs. Further up the Perth Rd is VINTAGE STRINGS, vendor of all things acoustic
DOGHOUSE - one of Dundee’s top music venues. Hotspot for local talent and bigger touring bands
THE REP THEATRE in South tay Street sometimes has live concerts. THE SOCIAL had some gigs during Freshers week so look out for more. The DCA are also known to hold live acousitc gigs now and then
Abertay Union Look out for the occasional gig at the HIDEOUT and THOMSON’S, a local bar with open mic nights
GROUCHOS - two doors down from the Nether Inn is this little gem of a place. Grouchos sells used CD’s & DVD’s, gig tickets and much more. The only other place to buy records is HMV
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RAINBOW MUSIC- Come here for all your instrumental needs READING
ROOMS - night club that has loads of guest DJ’s playing Electro, Dub Step & Reggae Castle Street Tucked away in this corner are DEXTERS, LENNON’s and THE BOND. All good for live music, from blues to local cover bands. Also here is KENNY’S MUSIC, a three story instrument shop. MACDANIELS & THE COOLER are two more venues known for live music
Michael Duncan
The Magdalen
Performing Arts:
When asked to write something on the performing arts, at first I got really excited. Great, I thought, I can write tons about this! But when actually sitting down at my computer, my brain froze. How can you define the performing arts? The range is so huge! You have dancing, singing and acting—anything that means performing for an audience. It involves the face, speech and actions. And that’s just what the audience sees. Backstage there is music, lighting, costumes, scripting, editing, I could go on and on and on… As an avid member of one or two drama groups myself, I like to know what is available out there for me. It is obvious to even the untrained eye just how much Dundee has to offer. Without even having to leave campus you have several theatre groups, including Lip, JOOT and OPSOC, all offering a different side to the performance arts to be involved in, whether it’s Shakespeare, musicals or performing what you and your friends have written. Then you step off campus and two seconds up the road there is Dundee Rep Theatre whose winter season comprises of drama, dance, music and comedy for everyone’s tastes. It doesn’t just stop in Dundee though. In past years JOOT have travelled to various places with their performances, including taking Les
Miserable’s to Paris. Lip Theatre Company has taken a show to the Edinburgh Fringe for 14 consecutive years, and will perform it again come autumn for the audiences closer to home. Last summer, they wrote and performed Brain Humour. Many people whom became involved in the various Fringe venues in the summer go on to become involved in university drama. But there’s more to the performing arts than drama you say? Very true. There’s dance, music and poetry. The Poetry Society is a place for students to meet weekly to show off their own works, as well as anything else they have found interesting. Could we even go as far as saying karaoke on a Tuesday night at Skint is a performing art? People put themselves out there in order to provide amusement, just like in drama or dance, although the occasional drunkenness may not always be considered artful. As far as the definition of performing arts goes, there is so much choice and far too many varieties to choose from, so we all develop our favourites. All I can say is this: the more the merrier. The more people, the more enthusiasm and the more ideas equals a better experience, a better show and a better time had by all.
Natasha McKim
No.18 The Anonymous Issue October 2010
Did you know that Dundee Rep is the best theatre in Scotland? Well, as far as we’re concerned it is and our numerous awards speak for themselves. With critically acclaimed shows such as last year’s The Elephant Man, which won awards for direction and production and Sunshine on Leith, a sell-out on its recent third run. Upcoming shows include Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House, brought to you by the same award winning team as The Elephant Man and our big Christmas show beginning in late November, Sleeping Beauty.
We are home to Dundee Rep Ensemble, recognised as one of the UK’s leading theatre companies and the Rep is also the official base of Scottish Dance Theatre (SDT), Scotland’s principal dance company. SDT tour both in the UK and internationally with shows premiering here at the Rep, and also offer a range of dance classes.
29 Nov 2010 to 8 Jan 2011
With a host of shows including music, comedy and drama as well as community based projects and educational and workshops, there are countless ways you can get involved. We also offer great student discounts on the majority of our shows, particularly those by the Rep Ensemble. What’s more, we offer a free ticket with every ten booked, so coming as part of a group is always a great idea...
Upcoming shows include: A Doll’s House 19 Oct – 6 Nov Student Tickets: £5 - £9 Scottish Dance Theatre:Triple Bill Tues 16 & Thurs 18 Nov Student Tickets: £8 Sleeping Beauty Mon 29 Nov – Sat 8 Jan Student Tickets: From £9 We also have great student discounts on visiting shows including comedy, visit our website for further details. 16 October - 6 November at 7.30pm
Dundee Rep Ensemble
29 Nov 2010 to 8 Jan 2011
present
by Henrik Ibsen A NEW VERSION BY
Samuel Adamson
Christmas 2010
Bookings
Bookings 01382 223530 www.dundeerep.co.uk
01382 223530 www.dundeerep.co.uk
NEW CS LOTTERY LOGO???
)
THE REP
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For further information please contact our Box Office on 01382 223530 or visit p.co.uk www.dundeereptheatre.co.uk
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The Magdalen
Fashion: Fashion News By Seonaid Rogers
Minx Nail Art was the beauty success story of the season – get the look at home for cheaper with Nail Rock Designer Nail Wraps, This month is Breast Cancer available from topshop.com. The Awareness Month. Do your bit designs apply to your nail with the to be fashionable and charitable heat from a blow dryer and then by participating in Wear it Pink can be filed down to size. With Day (29th October). Visit www. fun gold foil and leopard print wearitpink.co.uk for more designs it’s a cheap alternative to details on how you can take the manicure. part. Of course, the S/S 2011 fashion shows are ongoing, and here is My favourite Victoria’s Secret The Magdalen Fashion team’s Angel, Heidi Klum, is hanging pick of the best so far: up her wings. Let’s hope this Dior (Paris) – John Galliano means she has more time to never ceases to amaze on the film Project Runway! catwalk and this collection was
no different. Easy-on-the-eye prints and casually elegant cuts made this Hawaiian, sailor chic collection stand out from the crowd. The styling was enviable too.
colour palette of whites, creams, eggshell and the occasional pop of colour—such as in the beautiful yellow wrap dress—allowed the expertly constructed garments to speak for themselves. The coolest collection this season? Maybe.
Doo.Ri (NYC) – Elegant, sophisticated, wearable pieces from Doo.Ri this season (sticking to what you know seems to pay off in this situation). A washed out
Bottega Veneta (Milan) – An edgier collection that I would have proposed for the fashion powerhouse: dark, sleek, sophistacted Italianite dresses
opened the show, juxtaposed with long, floating dresses in more muted tones and white to close. A strong look executed with precision as always. The best piece? This wet look maxi in grey – if anyone but the model could get away with wearing it.
Fashion: Gwen Stefani found fame as the lead singer of ska punk band, No Doubt, in 1991. The band rose to a household name throughout the decade, culminating in a hiatus in 2004. Stefani then turned her hand to solo work, gaining her first US number one with the single, “Hollaback Girl” in 2005. Not content with merely focusing on music, Stefani also launched her first fashion line, “L.A.M.B” in 2003. Stefani came from a long line of seamstresses, with her mother often making her clothing when she was a child. Fashion design was something that Stefani inherited, often creating her own outfits for concerts in the earlier days of No Doubt. However she was forced to give this up as the band’s popularity increased and tours grew in frequency. In spite of this, fashion was a passion that Gwen never lost sight of, as evidenced by her unique dress sense which showed through her time with No Doubt and as a solo artist. “L.A.M.B”, an acronym of “Love. Angel. Music. Baby”, shares a name with the first solo album Stefani released in 2004.
While launched in 2003, the line didn’t make its runway debut until 2004, the same year her album was released, in that years Spring collection. Mainstream success came in 2005 at New York Fashion Week. The line manufactures clothing, bags, shoes, and even has its own perfume, “L”, launched in 2007, developed with the help of Coty Inc. The line was inspired by the fashion of many cultures, most notably Japanese, Indian and Jamaican styles. Stefani uses bold colours and trademark ripstop nylon in her work, which she often wears herself in public appearances or concerts. At New York Fashion Week 2010, Stefani wore a dress that had just been showcased on the runway to an after party, highlighting that she wears her own designs. Stefani also references the line in songs that she has written, for example in “Crash”, which features the brand’s slogan, “I want you all over me like L.A.M.B.” By doing so, she has helped to promote the fashion range to a wide variety of people. “L.A.M.B” is a fairly expensive line, with the prices for clothing ranging from $55 to $1100, and clothing varying from very
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casual to rather formal. In comparison to this, Stefani released a new clothing line in 2005, “Harajuku Lovers”. The line is named after the region Harajuku in Tokyo, Japan, where Japanese youths go to socialise, wearing a large variety of clothing styles. The range is described as “kawaii”, the Japanese word for cute, and is predominantly inspired by Japanese fashion, especially the individuality of the fashion that can be seen in that part of Japan. “Harajuku Lovers” includes apparel, accessories, stationary and also has its own line of fragrances, each corresponding with a member of Stefani’s backup dancers, the Harajuku Girls. Stefani’s clothing lines make an annual gross income of $90million, and have been worn by celebrities such as Nicole Kidman and Paris Hilton. Within the space of a few short years, Stefani has grown into one of the most successful celebrity designers in our time.
Laura Smith
The Magdalen
In Profile: Maggies Farm So when you think of Dundee and fashion you may conjure up images of shell suits, trackies (that’s Dundee lingo for tracksuits) and a bad case of matching denim. Well you’d be very wrong. In fact, over the past few years Dundee has, well, become fashionable. The emergence of the Dundee music scene in 2006 thanks to bands like The View & The Law who love fashion almost as much as they love music has put Dundee on the map and has kind of given Dundee a much needed fashion makeover. Maggies Farm is a vintage clothing boutique, based in Union Street, just five minute walk from the main university campus. It opened up its doors little over 2 months ago, it has quirky pieces of jewellery, dresses, bags, scarves, hats, t-shirts, skirts - the list is endless – everything for any self-respecting fashionista! The Magdalen catches up with the owner, Laurissa, who tells us more about Maggies Farm, where she got the inspiration for the name and what she thinks about Dundee’s fashion. Tell us a little about Maggies Farm; is this your first boutique? Yes, I’ve always wanted to have my own boutique I even bought the wallpaper 2 years ago, so it’s been in the pipeline for some time!
How did you get into fashion? I gained a first class honours degree in Fashion Business at University and this has been my goal ever since I started University. After I graduated, I worked for Topshop as a Style Adviser; I saved up some money while doing this and then opened up here in Dundee. So the name “Maggies Farm”, where did you get the inspiration for the name? There’s a Bob Dylan song ‘Maggies Farm’ and that’s basically about an individual who is told they need to be like everyone else, but they have so many ideas they want to put out there - I like to think that my customers are like that too.
Where do you get all the clothes? They come from all over the world. Mainly I source them from wholesalers in London and Manchester but some of their pieces are from Paris and America. The shop gets new stock at least every two weeks, sometimes even weekly as I have new suppliers locally.
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find their own styles and vintage is fairly new here, so people only really know the high street but I think that’ll change. Often people can be scared about not wearing what everyone else does but that’s what fashion is, we experiment all the time. So what can you offer that say Topshop or H&M can’t? Well definitely better prices, really good quality fashion that will always be around and something else that no-one has got. Also vintage clothing has a little bit of history behind it instead of mass produced clothing from the High Street that everyone else is wearing. Come in and have a look!
Why do you think vintage has become so popular? Everything has become mass produced and it’s almost as if people have a uniformed look. All the high street shops are exactly the same. British shops give
a unique look, for example, Carnaby Street in London has all these little boutiques and shops that are different to everywhere else I want to bring that to Dundee. Who is your fashion icon? That’s so hard, there are hundreds of them! Going way back to the ‘60s and ‘70s it would have to be Edie Sedgwick, Marianne Faithful, Penelope Tree and right now Alison Mosshart from The Kills, they all have great styles. It’s good to take inspiration from lots of people and that way you can create your own individual look without trying to be someone else. What would you say fashion is like in Dundee right now? Fashion in Dundee is definitely moving on. People are still trying to
The Magdalen
Travel: Whisky Weekend in the Highlands by Sarah Gray
It’s 6:50 on a Saturday morning and I’m not tucked under my covers sleeping off my Friday night. Instead, I’m sitting on a train heading to Perth, catching my breath after my friends and I made a mad dash to Dundee Railway Station. But as fate would have it, our sprint to the station didn’t pay off as we initially thought: we were on the wrong train. After backtracking and finding the right train to Aberdeen, we were finally on the right track to Keith and Dufftown for a weekend of whisky. Located in the Speyside region of the Scotland Highlands, both Keith and Dufftown lie along the Malt Whisky Trail—a 70 mile route that connects twelve distilleries. The best part of my weekend: I got to tour two of these distilleries. The worst part of the weekend: I only got to tour two of these distilleries. But when it comes to whisky, I try to look at it as quality over quantity. And after the train debacle, all I wanted was some whisky—even if it was just going to be a small amount for tasting purposes.
When we arrived in Keith, we were greeted by a cool grey sky, an almost empty road, and even fewer people. While the first impressions weren’t exactly promising, a few minutes walk from the train station led us to Strathisla Distillery, the oldest distillery in the Highlands. With its old-time water wheel, stone buildings that had changed little from when they were first established, and the beautifully green scenery, Strathisla was every definition of picturesque. For just £5, we received a welcome dram of their 12-year-old Chivas Regal, a guided tour of the traditional distillery, and a dram of the 12-year-old Strathisla and 18-year-old Chivas Regal at the end of the tour. Our tour guide gave us a few instructions on what we should taste and smell, as well as advice on adding water to our glass. Afterwards, I happily spent another £5.20 on a small bottle of the Chivas Regal and a mini tasting glass of my own—an appropriate purchase for my first “souvenir” in Scotland. We explored Keith’s city centre, which consisted of one street of shops and eateries as far as I
could tell, and figured out the best way to get to Dufftown over hot food and a beer. Lying about 15 miles southwest of Keith, the road to Dufftown winds around the rolling highlands where sheep and cattle outnumber humans and life is quiet. Despite its village status, Dufftown and its immediate surrounding area house six of Speyside’s distilleries—giving it the undisputed title of Malt Whisky Capital of the World—plus a whisky museum and the world-class The Whisky Shop Dufftown. The shop alone contains over 500 selections of single malt whiskies and is also a great spot to get information and tips about enjoying Scotland’s whisky to the fullest. It was here my friends and I learned that Glenfiddich Distillery—proud owner of the world’s favourite single malt Scotch whisky—gave free tours. Come Sunday, we were at the distillery a full 20 minutes before it opened to ensure that we got a spot in line. Glenfiddich (Gaelic for ‘valley of the deer’) is nestled among forests, hillside farms, and castle ruins. While it’s a bit more commercial than Strathisla,
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Glenfiddich is just as lovely and is almost a small village of whisky makers within itself. I could spell the whisky in the air before I even saw it being made. We were shown an epic film about the distilleries history and then given a tour similar to the one at Strathisla. Since I already knew the process (I am practically a whisky expert now obviously), I concentrated on getting pictures of the wort, mashing, and washbacks. We also got to do a smelling experiment in which we had to sniff out the one whisky out of three that was in a barrel that had once contained Spanish sherry. At the end of our journey, we were rewarded with a dram of their 12-year-old, 15-year-old, and 18-year-old whiskies whilst our German tour guide told us everything we needed to know about each. My whisky weekend was topped off with a scenic train ride on the Keith & Dufftown Railway—or more appropriately titled Whisky Line—that runs between the two towns. As the train slowly rumbled through the countryside and waters of Loch Park, we were served another dram of whisky and a desert sample. Considering the disastrous way the weekend had started, it ended quite successfully. As an international student, I have a mental “Scotland bucket list” and the weekend gave me a chance to cross off ‘a trip to the Highlands’ and ‘drink Scottish whisky,’ as well as experience a variety of other typical Scottish activities. But mostly, I was just excited about the whisky. Information to have your own whisky weekend can be found on our website at www.dusa.co.uk/magdalen
Travel Tips:
• Timing is everything!
• Make sure you know exactly when your train arrives/leaves, what changes you have to make, and the correct platforms beforehand. • Try to have at least some sort of plan/route for the weekend so you can hit up all the distilleries with ease. •Pack appropriately; having snacks on hand can cut down on the money you’ll have to spend on food. •Book a hostel in advance so you know with certainty that you have somewhere to sleep when all the whisky catches up with you.
The Magdalen
Travel: Kirsty Fergusson’s Mexican Adventure! When someone mentions Mexico, the mind conjures up images of men in sombreros playing mini guitars, spring-break and fajitas. This summer I spent a month in the states of Yucatán and Quintana Roo, Mexico and learned that this beautiful country has far more to offer than this! I arrived in Cancun seven hours later than expected - courtesy of the volcanic ash cloud. My original plan was to take a bus straight to Mérida, where I would be staying, but at midnight this was not an option. I proceeded to see the lights of Cancun from the world’s most expensive airport taxi, complete with a crazy driver who asked me if I was related to Alex Ferguson of Manchester United, and tried to check me in to a US $500 per night hotel! Eventually I managed to explain that I was not really in the market for a night in luxury and found myself in a much cheaper establishment. Cancun is known as the American college student’s Mexican party paradise, but realistically it could not be further from the real Mexico if it tried. Prices are high, clubs and bars are inauthentic and the food is, frankly, rubbish. I hot-footed it out of tourist hell the next morning but did return to Cancun later in my stay in order to catch a ferry to the Isla Mujeres, an island accessible from Cancun. My advice to you would be to stay on the island, hire a golf cart to visit the turtle rehabilitation sanctuary and enjoy the bohemian party atmosphere on the beach – much more relaxed than Cancun’s overpriced sun loungers and crowded clubs. In my month in Mérida, I was fortunate enough to come in contact with many incredibly friendly Yucatecans and experience the area through the eyes of the people who live there, not just as a tourist. I stayed in a volunteer house with a group of girls who were—like me— teaching English to a group of teenagers in the afternoons and rolling out of bed nice and early to help look after what can only be described as the cutest
bunch of Mexican ‘niños’ at a local kindergarten (see right). The volunteer company stated that you did not need to speak any Spanish to get by in Mérida – this was far from the truth. I would highly recommend Mexico as a place to master the Spanish language; it is amazing how quickly you are forced to pick it up. Even after teaching art at kindergarten for a just a week I found myself convincingly reciting such valuable phrases as ‘don’t chew your painting!’ Who knew I could translate something so bizarre!
Mérida boasts the oldest cathedral in the whole of continental America, the Catedral de San Ildefonso. Much of our free time was spent exploring this beautiful building and the city’s many museums. The climate in the Yucatan is very hot, so unfortunately most of our afternoons were wasted napping or watching Mexican ‘telenovelas’ as it was simply too hot to leave the volunteer house – authentic, if a little boring! Evenings were spent in the plazas of the city, listening to traditional Yucatan music and watching elderly Mexican couples dance the night away; or visiting the local restaurants for ‘quesadillas con salsa verde’, a simple yet tasty Mexican snack, and relaxing with a bottle of Sol. Tex-Mex is often confused with genuine Mexican cuisine here in the UK – you won’t find
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iconic ‘el castillo’ is what most people associate with Chichen Itza, however there are many other ruins surrounding el Castillo such as the ‘Gran Juego de Pelota’, an area where Mayans once played an ancient ball-game thought to have been concluded with the decapitation of one of the team captains! The Yucatan is also home to the Si’an Kaan reserve and many more Mayan ruins which I just had no time to visit. Returning to Cancun before my flight home really highlighted the fact that even this small area of Mexico has so much more to offer than the stereotypical spring-break tequila and corona fest - I can’t wait to go back! fajitas and nachos in Mérida. Instead they favour small tapas-style, flour tacos with different spicy meat fillings – interesting, but not particularly vegetarian friendly! In the last week of my stay, I used the excellent ADO bus service to see more of the area; with a visit to the beach town of Playa Del Carmen and the gorgeous eco-resort Tulum – complete
with beach huts, yoga, hammocks and hippies - and a visit to the ancient Mayan ruin Chichen Itza. Recently, Chichen Itza was deservedly named one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Although completely exposed, so a nightmare for someone as pale as me, it is definitely the gem of the Yucatan, holding many uncovered secrets of ancient Mayan life. The
The Magdalen
Science:
Monsters or
Mysteries of the Deep Cryptozoology investigated by Rosie Gudmunsen
Whether it’s monsters and magic, or poltergeists and psychics, phenomena we do not understand have always fascinated mankind. But is there any scientific basis to such fantastic ideas? Branches of science such as parapsychology and cryptozoology are generally considered to be ‘pseudosciences’, therefore all research that is carried out into confirming or disproving the existence of such phenomena tends to be privately funded - for example in labs located in the University of Edinburgh, and a handful of other institutions worldwide. There are also specialists in this field like Dr Paxton of the University of St. Andrews who has published open-minded articles on the subject of
cryptozoology the search for mythical organisms or ‘monsters’.
the sighting should be considered a hoax.
An example of a cryptozoological research method is interpreting historical sightings and examining statistical data. This information is used to investigate undiscovered animals, and even giant sea creatures.
One of the creatures most studied by crytpozoologists is the elusive beast believed to inhabit Loch Ness. Whilst, this notorious Nessie could theoretically exist, perhaps as a new genetic mutant, or as a totally unknown species surviving since the prehistoric ages - a ginkgo is a surviving prehistoric tree, which proves that such an idea is not out with the realm of possibility – it is more likely that large previously undiscovered creatures will be found in salt water of our seas and oceans, rather than the freshwater Loch Ness.
In one such investigation, conducted by Dr Paxton, statistical information taken from reported sightings of unidentified sea beasts from the past 250 years was examined. The study took into account problems associated with eye-witness accounts and the unreliability of certain sources over time. The distances from which the witnesses claimed to have observed the creature were then used to evaluate whether or not
Dr. Paxton carried out his own experiment in a freshwater loch by placing a very visible fake sea monster in Windermere. He asked over 200 passersby
No.18 The Anonymous Issue October 2010
to estimate how far away the model was and what size it was. Both men and women thought the sea monster was closer than it was (average 337m to the actual 531m). However, on average men significantly overestimated the size of the beast, whilst women significantly underestimated its size. This perhaps details another area of human nature! Dr Paxton is a respected ecologist and his papers carry a lot of influence in this area.
His definition of sea monsters is any “marine creature previously unknown to science, over 2m long”, However, it is difficult to rule out the possibility that a creature with such an outlandish appearance as to be regarded a fantastical sea-monster will never be discovered when the creatures themselves are still being discovered at consistent rates. These “sea monsters” may be new species of sea creatures related to those that are well-known to us, or they may be something entirely new. By investigating these sightings we
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can discover these cryptids and develop a greater understanding of our world and its mysteries. Dr. Paxton recently gave a talk at Café Science Extra in Dundee and this is available to view at www.YouTube.com/ CafeScienceDundee
The Magdalen
Science: Turn Back the Clocks and Let Me Be Healed. It might have been from a chance encounter round the back of the caravan, or perhaps a romantic seduction on a velvet chaise longue. Either way that chance sperm-egg interaction that you might not want to consider occurring in the depths of your mother’s anatomy six or so thousand days ago, has resulted in you. The several hundred trillion cells that make up you are all the result on a single cell dividing and dividing, then gradually changing. The few cells in the very early embryo that become the myriad different types that make us up are thus known as pluripotent embryonic stem cells. The vast majority of cells in the adult body are on a one-way ticket to death and can never change from the identity they have become. A brain cell stays a brain cell, a liver cell a liver cell, a muscle cell a muscle cell. An exception is your bone marrow, which constantly replenishes your blood and immune system. In the case of these fixed-identity cells in the tissues, the DNA inside each and everyone of them is the same, but the way it is “expressed” is different in a brain cell or a muscle cell. Expression in this biological context is actually the particular pattern of genes that are actively producing the message (called mRNA) that is used, in turn, to build the proteins within the cell that make a brain cell a different looking and functioning beast to a liver cell. The expression pattern in one of the many cells types
in the human heart will be different to one of the many cell types in the human liver. The means by which the very same string of DNA is made to alter its expression patterns is down to chemical tags that pepper both the DNA itself and the proteins that the stick tightly to it inside the nucleus. These so-called epigenetic tags had been thought to be fixed – never changing once a cell had committed to being a particular type. Or so everyone thought until recently when a series of experiments destroyed that dogma. Surprisingly, under the right conditions the clock can be turned back on an adult cell (taken for instance as a biopsy, or even from a single hair follicle) - its epigenetic identity can be erased and it can be made into the same type of cell found in the early embryo (give or take a few hundred mutations from cigarette smoking and holidays in the sun). Stripped of its identity it now regains the potential to change into any cell. This act of restoration opens up the revolutionary possibility of personalised medicine because these so-called induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells for short) can be steered, with increasing ease, into any type of cell found in the human body. So far this has been done for many useful celltypes such as neurons, liver, heart and pancreatic insulin-producing cells to name but a few. Once scientists develop the know how to make each type of cell they could be used to replace your worn out or diseased bits when they fail. Already trials are underway in the UK to try to cure a disease of the eye
called macular degeneration, using cells made from stem cells. Other trials will no doubt follow. Another amazing reality is that cells from a patient with a genetic disease (such as Huntington’s Chorea, Parkinson’s Disease or Muscular Dystrophy) can be made into iPS cells - from which cells can be made that recapitulate the disease in the lab. For some diseases this means for the first time that the real diseased cells can be studied and it opens up the possibility that the cells can be used to find drugs that cure. It may even be possible to perform genetic repair of the defective gene, remake the “cured” cell type in the lab and in certain diseases transplant those cells into the same patient from which the biopsy was originally taken. It would be not too fantastically Huxleyesque to even imagine whole organs made ready for transplantation that will no longer be rejected as “non-self”. A Brave New World made science faction? Only time will tell.
Paul D. Andrews PhD. Stem Cell Technology Programme Drug Discovery Unit College Of Life Science
Dundee University Sport is a new and exciting partnership between ISE and Dundee University Sports Union, providing a single infrastructure for the development and delivery for sport and the provision of a high quality sport programme at the University. The newly combined resources of the agencies are designed to ensure that the development of sport at all levels within the University is fully supported and encouraged. The impressive energy, enthusiasm and volunteering capacity that exists within student sports clubs will be complemented by the professional resources and expertise provided within ISE, to ensure that the sporting offer available to the University of Dundee community is of the highest quality. Dundee University Sport encompasses three strategic areas: Team Sport, Club Sport and Campus Sport
Team Sport
Success of university sports teams on the local, regional and national stage raises the profile of the university and student sport and, most importantly,
rewards players and teams for the hard work, training and commitment that is necessary for success on the sports field. Team Sport will support teams in their quest to improve performance and results, ensuring that the University competes successfully in Scottish and British Universities’ competition.
Club Sport
The activities which take place within university sports clubs are some of the most significant factors in the quality of the student experience. Club Sport will support and develop the environment in which rewarding sporting activity can take place, providing long term and sustainable support for clubs. Club Sport is committed to improving the quality of the experience for all club members, ensuring that all who participate can do so to the fullest extent.
Campus Sport
Campus Sport will provide recreational and participation opportunities for those wishing to play sport without any additional commitments: the emphasis simply being on taking part and having fun through sport. Campus Sport will provide a pathway to and from sports clubs, maximising participation opportunities for students and staff at the university. The opportunity for re-shaping the delivery and impact of sport at the University of Dundee has never been better and the timing never more opportune. Dundee University Sport will be the platform from which success on the sporting front at the university will take place.
Student Coaches: Student coaches at Dundee University are being offered a unique chance to further develop their skills and competencies as coaches through a partnership between the Tayside and Fife Regional Sporting Partnership and Dundee University Sport. This initiative has enable five students to benefit from a coaching scholarship design to provide support and development opportunities. This has taken the form of a personalised development plan which supports each individual’s needs and will enable them to access the most appropriate training
and development resources to improve their coaching potential. The students awarded the coaching scholarships will have 12 months of support and mentoring designed to help them become more effective coaches. Student involvement in university sports clubs has always been strong, through either mentoring younger players, or through direct coaching input. Club members sometimes seek additional personal development opportunities in coaching and the current partnership is designed to ensure that these student coaches are able to take advantage of continuing
professional development through accessing courses and other training opportunities. In the current employment market, developing coaching, planning and communication skills are a real benefit to students seeking a future in the workforce and the five coaching scholars will hopefully reap the benefit of their commitment to helping fellow students improve their sporting performance.
Coaching Scholars Volleyball Freddie Fairbairn Trampoline Kenny Duffy & Iona Bruce Women’s Rugby Craig Anderson Women’s Basketball Kathryn Kane
No.18 The Anonymous Issue October 2010
DUWRF Support the National
Women’s Rugby Team: The university women’s rugby club has enjoyed some considerable success in recent years on both the Scottish and British Universities rugby front. The club, which trains twice at week at Riverside Sports Ground, plays in Scottish Universities Tier 1 on Wednesday afternoons as well as the Scottish National League on Sundays. Most girls who join the club in first year have no previous experience of the sport and the learning curve can be pretty steep! However the club have an impressive record of nurturing and developing talent in the sport and in the past five years a remarkable four girls from the university team have progressed to the full Scotland national team. Indeed two of Scotland’s women’s rugby squad in the recent Rugby World Cup in England, are recent University of Dundee graduates. Sarah Gill and Katy Green both studied medicine at Dundee, with Sarah graduating in 2008 and Katy a year later. They both now turn out for Murrayfield Wanderers in the Scottish Premier League and are examples of the prodigious conveyer belt of women’s rugby talent coming from the University. Fellow Dundee graduates Laura Steven and Cara D’Silva have also represented the senior Scottish women’s team, while a number of other Dundee players
have progressed through the Scottish Women’s Performance Pathway programme to Scotland Women “A” and Academy squads. Last year, Dundee had three players selected for the Scottish Universities 7’s team that were runners up in the Home Nations Tournament in Edinburgh. The progress of individual players has been matched by the team’s successes and the rugby women’s considerable success in recent years has included winning the British Universities & Colleges (BUCS) Trophy in 2009 and last year finishing as Scottish Universities champions, remaining unbeaten all season. Keep an eye on the rugby women’s results this year as they seek to continue their impressive competitive record.
Sarah Gill
Two of Dundee University Women’s Rugby Club’s recent international stars are pictured here.
Kary Green
UNIVERSITY of
ABERTAY DUNDEE