Issue 6 - March 2008

THEMAGDALEN DUNDEE UNIVERSITY STUDENT MAGAZINE

ELECTION SPECIAL

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CONTENTS

ISSUE 06 info:

Students lobby Scottish Government David Duncan signs Green Declaration Dundee top destination for Internationals Accomodation Survey for all continuing students

ED I TO R IAL I tend to write the Editorial for each issue at the last possible moment before The Magdalen heads off to the printers. On reflection, I have come to realise this is probably not the best time to do so, seen as I’m usually sick of the sight of the Mac and have been living off vanilla lattes in the Exec offices 8 hours a day for the past week (Soul destroying let me tell you).

However, on a positive note I have been reassured by some of the comments put forward by the forthcoming candidates battling it out for the post of Vice President of Communications. Some of the applicants have picked up on the monthly struggle to get The Magdalen to the stands and addressed ways to tackle this. (Although only one contender has actually approached me to discuss the future of the magazine and its role in The Magdalen Media Group. So I thank them for their interest and enthusiasm). Come Hustings, the rest of you boys better be prepared for the Spanish Inquisition!

Yet again, my Entertainment team never fails to amaze me. (Always late but worth the wait!)

Eoin brings both cinema reviews and T in Floor 5 to the table for your reading pleasure, while Natalie addresses the role drugs play in making or breaking our iconic legends. In the music department, Laurie and Gavin effortlessly sum up the soon to be released tracks of this month.

Life is generally good in March and sales of green clothes and Guinness increase three-fold as St Patrick’s day preparations commence.

For those of you who have been completely blind to the front cover, flyers, staff t-shirts and grey hoodies; March is also election time here in D.U.S.A. Issue 6 is an election week special, hence the heavy text and cheesy passport photographs. Take a moment to read what the candidates have to say, failing that skip to the last column of every Eday page for a round up of each individual’s main policies.

Suggestions, comments or complaints are always welcome (although sometimes ignored) at themagdalen@dusa.co.uk or direct to my inbox at L.Bennie@dundee.ac.uk Lauren Bennie Editor

2

Features How Fair is Fairtrade?

What’s on DUSA’s shopping list?

Friends of Magdalen Green Eday Election Special

5

Essentials

8-9

Latest Cinema Releases Showcase your DoJ talents Puzzles Part 2 Sport Election Results

Reviews LoveMusic Spotlight on...Duffy & Make Model T in Floor 5 Let it Be?

17

Contributors EDITOR Lauren Bennie.

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Entertainment Reviews: Natalie Coupar, Gavin McNee, Eoin Boylan, Laurie Cameron.

Current Affairs and Features: Adam Patrick, Rachel Irwin, Kimberly Ellis, Sarah Steel, Sheila Roy, Lauren Bennie, all executive candidates.

Fashion: (Your name could be here!)

Photography: Rob Ryder-Richardson, Kimberley Ellis, Milan Bogunovic.

Graphic Design: Kim Spiers, Ryan Strachan, Lauren Bennie, David MacLeod.

PUBLISHER: David MacLeod.

PUBLISHED BY Vice President of Communications D.U.S.A Airlie Place Dundee DD1 4HP vpc@dusa.co.uk

PRINTED BY David Winters & Sons 16 Dunsinane Ave Dunsinane Ind. Est. Dundee DD2 3QT sales@winterspioneers.co.uk

Recycle your copy of The Magdalen

info: > Current Affairs and News Students lobby Scottish Parliament

On 28 February, a group of students from the University of Dundee travelled down to the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh to protest for the abolishment of graduate endowment fees. Around 50 students were present from a handful of Universities, ready and willing to lead a good natured active protest. DUSA President Milan Bogunovic met with First Minister Alex Salmond after the SNP leader had made a speech outside to demonstrators. Lib Dem MSP’s were also present to express their gratitude for student presence on the day.

Despite having to endure four hours of parliamentary business, Dundee student representatives took to the gallery to await the vote. By a narrow victory of two votes, the Bill was passed. After a rapturous applause from the audience, participants were warned to tone down their excitement while present in the main chamber.

On speaking to VPC Dave MacLeod who was present at the demonstration, he conveyed his feelings on the topic of higher education funding. “I am adament that University costs should not hamper an individuals prospects of obtaining a degree. The opportunity should always be presented. If someone had the ability to learn then the opportunity should be given regardless of his or her financial status or situation.�

Graduate Endownment Policy Abolished Political parties, such as the SNP, are trying to engage with students by putting policies forward that are of benefit to them. In particular, the graduate endowment policy that was successfully abolished on Thursday the 28th of February 2008. This will ensure university students across the whole of Scotland are in less debt by the time they graduate and are seeking employment.

Politics is thus important and relevant to students’ everyday lives because certain parties are more aware of issues that could make students lives better.

Who knows what other issues will be resolved by political parties, and more closely to students, through Dundee University Students Association which could make life at the University of Dundee a more stress free and enjoyable experience. SS

David Duncan signing Green Declaration Now that climate change is breaking through as one of the biggest challenges facing the world today, it has become evident that the education sector has a key role to play in addressing this challenge. During the events of Go Green Week, student campaigners put University Secretary David Duncan on the spot and asked, as a representative within the education sector, to commit to taking decisive and strategic action to reduce year-on-year the carbon emissions of the University of Dundee and associated organisations. To view a full list of signatories to the Declaration, visit www.peopleandplanet.org/ greeneducationdeclaration.

David Duncan signing the Green Declaration

Destination Dundee for International Students The University of Dundee has been rated one of the best destinations for international students in a major new survey of British universities. The International Student Barometer surveyed students at 84 institutions around the UK, taking their views on everything from teaching quality to accommodation and support services.

The results of the survey placed Dundee 11th for `overall satisfaction’ and in the top twenty for three of the four supporting satisfaction scores.

“We put in a lot of work not just in recruiting international students to come to Dundee but in making sure they get the best possible experience when they are here,” said Nikki Duke, International Officer in Admissions and Student Recruitment at the University.

“Students from overseas enrich the cultural and social life of what is now a truly international university, and it is very rewarding for staff around the University to see the hard work they have put in attracting students to Dundee and making them feel at home here is paying off.”

“The results of the International Student Barometer show that we are on the right track. With the additional investment we have made across the campus in accommodation - which in the survey is rated in the top 5 in the UK - learning and teaching facilities, the library and sports facilities, the University is becoming an ever more attractive destination for students from all around the world.”

98% of the Dundee students who took part in the survey said they had ‘Expert Lecturers’ and 92% feel that Dundee is a ‘Good Place to be’. 85% said that they would encourage/ recommend the University to others.

The strong performance in the International Student Barometer follows Dundee’s excellent showing in the Times Higher Education Awards 2007, where the University was named fourth best University in the UK in providing ‘Outstanding Support for International Students’.

Short Survey on student accomodation in Dundee Student Services invite all continuing students at the University of Dundee to complete a short accommodation questionnaire at http://www.survey.bris. ac.uk/dundee/accommodation Sadly by the time The Magdalen goes to press, the book token prizes for participation in the following survey will have been distributed. Nevertheless, if you have an opinion on your accommodation in Dundee then students are able to complete the survey until the 31 May 2008.

info: > Current Affairs and News

News from the Student Representative Council (SRC) The SRC meeting of Monday 18 February 2008 welcomed the first appearance of the Rector Craig Murray and the Rector’s Assessor. This was apt as Item Four on the Agenda was entitled Rector as both council members and student exec had raised concerns of his whereabouts. Craig Murray was asked about the actions he had taken as Rector thus far and what he planned to do for students this term.

Primarily, the Rector apologised for missing two Court appointments while reminding the Council that he isn’t paid for his work here as a representative of D.U.S.A. Murray also stated that he would be happy to attend further meetings of the SRC as long as his travel and accommodation costs were covered. He highlighted that he had only be invited to two other appointments in his time as Rector to which he attended both.

When asked why Mr Murray hadn’t been more pro-active, the Rector answered that he would gladly take instruction from the student body, as he did not want to be seen targeting his own agenda. In order to do this, Craig Murray would have to make himself more accessible as one member of council highlighted that an email sent to

the Rector, 10 days previously, had yet to be answered.

During a heated debate between some members of Council and Mr Murray, communication became a recurrent issue in that there was a clear problem with email accounts assigned to the Rector. SRC was alarmed to hear that mail addressed to the Rector was being opened by University Secretary David Duncan, a worrying fact considering that some student concerns require privacy and confidentiality. Craig Murray has since put a stop to this.

In brief, SRC established that further lines of communication were required and were made aware that the Rector would attend invitations from SRC and from the student group as a whole as long as his expenses were covered for the duration of his stay.

Item Six has been a hot topic within SRC as the members have regularly sought an update on the role Social Networking Technology plays within the University structure. The University’s Working Group charied by Tom Mortimer has since provided their 0.2 Draft of proposals and SRC continue to keep a finger on the pulse

as this develops.

School President of Law raised his concerns about a study which highlighted that Degree Classifications are outdated. SRC were unable to reach a decision on action required as it became apparent that most Schools operated an entirely different system. President Milan Bogunovic said he would raise this at the next meeting of CHESS and would send an email of the Burgess Report to all SRC members.

In light of the SPARQS report of Item Eight, all School Presidents have been instructed to list all commitments and responsibilities in an introductory pack for their successor.

Since the SRC of 18 February, several new School Presidents have been elected thorough individual school elections.

For further details on any of the SRC business, students can contact Council members through the Independent Chair, Martin Nimmo or theexec@dusa.co.uk who will then be able to point any interested parties in the right direction. The next meeting of Student Representative Council was scheduled for 10 March 2008. LB

What is on the D.U.S.A Fairtrade shopping List?

‘Change Today, Choose Fairtrade’ Fair trade: people getting paid a fair wage.

Worked hard and long, it’s only fair they get paid for it.

Farmers, labourers and their families in developing countries rely on Fairtrade products to make their living. They get paid a fairer wage and help them send their kids to schools instead or to the fields to work.

Fairtrade allows better working conditions, trading conditions, more secure workers rights and allows workers to take an active part in their own organizations to gain greater equality in international trade and the chance to build a sustainable business.

DUSA is joining the growing number of organizations backing Fairtrade and held a campaign to raise awareness of Fairtrade and to highlight Fairtrade products available here on Campus.

So what Fairtrade products are available?

Apples Avocados Baby food Bananas Beer and ale Cakes and biscuits Citrus Clementines Cocoa Coconuts Cosmetics Coffee Cotton Dried fruits

Flowers Fruit juices Grapes Herbal & fruit teas Herbs & spices Honey Ice Cream Jam & Marmalade Lemons Lychees Mangoes Muesli Nuts, nut oils & nut spreads Oranges Pears

Pineapples Plums Quinoa Rice Roses Satsumas Spirits Sugar Sweets & toffees Syrup Teas Sugar Wines and beers Yoghurt

Friends of Magdalen Green

As many of you are aware, it is of no coincidence that the University of Dundee’s student Magazine is called The Magdalen.

Back in January, the editorial in Issue 4 explained that students on and off campus frequent the Green on a regular basis. This may just be for a jog now and again or spending a lazy summer day with friends, a football or a frisbee (if you are that way inclined).

With this in mind, The Magdalen would like to introduce readers to an ever growing group called the Friends of Magdalen Green (FoMG). Having been in existence for almost a year, the FoMG interest group illustrates the diversity of the Green with membership ranging from the very young to the very old.

Sheila Roy, the Chairperson of Friends of Magdalen Green, points out the common goals of the group which are not to

dissimilar to any student who appreciates using Magdalen Green.

“The one thing we have in common is our love of Magdalen Green. Our aim is to protect, preserve and enhance the Green. We are concerned at the effect of cars parked on the grass, especially along the northern edge, scorch marks from disposable barbecues and general lack of respect shown by some.”

“We are delighted that [students] enjoy the recreational facilities offered by an area of such natural beauty and we hope you will help us in our task of preserving this for future generations.”

The group continues to promote their presence in and around the West End. In supporting this group, The Magdalen will be running a feature in the next few editions, which will put student activity

in the spotlight with a double spread of pictures depicting life on the Green.

The task therefore is to send in any unusual images of the Green, or snapshots of spent days down at Magdalen Green. (Basically an opportunity to get you and your mates photos into The Magdalen.)

The group frequently meets together to discuss improvements and action plans for the progression of the Green. Sheila will keep us informed of such meetings, including a delightful wee coffee morning planned for next term to shake of any kind of hangover!

Images can be sent directly to L.Bennie@ dundee.ac.uk or themagdalen@dusa.co.uk.

Additionally images will be sent to the Friends of Magdalen Green.

R I A F W O H IS R I A F ?

E D A TR So ‘fairtrade’ is finally big business. No longer reserved for the small margin of dedicated people willing to sacrifice some extra hard-earned cash to put up with thick, bitter-tasting coffee, it has finally reached the middle classes with luxury chocolate muffins and handmade soap with leafy bits.

Big corporations are drawing the fairtrade label into the mainstream with Cadbury buying over Green and Black’s, L’Oreal the Body Shop, and you can now drink Starbuck’s fair-trade brand in 23 different countries. Businesses are clamoring to source fair-trade suppliers resulting in higher wages, social premiums and job security for marginalized farmers in the developing world. On the surface it all looks very promising.

But what effect is this having on the fairtrade initiative? Companies are literally fighting off each other to grab a big enough bite of the FT chocolate apple in a bid to appease those customers who happen to have a moral social conscience. As a result, the pressure from these big companies has in many cases resulted in corners being cut and standards watered down. For example,

huge privately owned businesses can now be certified as opposed to small co-op’s which introduces additional licensing fees leaving farmer’s in a lose-lose situation.

Now it’s ok for Nestle to provide a service to their more ethically minded consumers as long as they don’t stop to think about the disproportionate profit snatched up by the company and used to fuel the exploitative practices of the company as a whole, and which distract consumers from the real impact of their consumption.

Perhaps even more worrying is that the fairtrade mark can no longer only be claimed by brands, companies and businesses, but also by universities, towns and even countries. (Scotland is well on its way to becoming the world’s second ‘fairtrade’ nation, beaten narrowly to the post by our Celtic neighbours, the Welsh). But can we really call ourselves a fair-trade nation with Britain’s track record of keeping countries locked into poverty through unfair trade deals? The real fact of the situation is that global imbalances of wealth are being maintained and strengthened by international trade relations, supposedly

CHOOSE FROM THE GROW RANGE OF FAIRTRADE PR

kept in check by organisations such as the World Trade Organisation (WTO), and through unfair trade deals such as the EPAs currently being ‘negotiated’ with various African, Carribean and Pacific countries.

Does sticking a smiley FT plaster over the gaping financial wounds do more to hide the problem than cure it? How might the Kenyan farmers, the Costa Rican plantation workers and the Bangladeshi garment traders view our claims to being a ‘fairtrade nation’?

And can we really buy our way to a fairer world? What can be achieved through consumer choice is limited. In many ways consumers are picking the best out of a bad bunch, so buying strictly socially and environmentally aware products can lead to a confusing whirlwind of compromise. With

Photography © Sue Atkinson. Designed and produced by Forster.

www.fairtrade.org.uk

HE GROWING RADE PRODUCTS multiple impending catastrophes resulting from our throwaway lifestyle (such as climate change – focus of go green week), and with our planets natural and social resource overstretched, can we really justify flying luxurious items all over the world?

Take for example Sainsbury’s fairtrade roses grown next to Kenya’s Lake Naivasha sucking up precious water resources and consuming vast amounts of fuel in airfreight miles.

The bottom line is that. without structural reform, fairtrade may remain as little more than a distraction. If corporations such as Tesco and Asda can encourage consumers to shop in store by dangling green bags and displaying pictures of happy farmers which salve your moral conscience, and Starbucks can advertise their fair-trade brand in order to keep the hippies happy, then real change

for the worlds poor will never be achieved and the huge rich/poor gap will continue to widen.

This is not suggesting that you don’t buy fair-trade when and where you can. Keep in mind that ‘fairtrade’ is not as black and white as its logo. Amongst all the grey, companies such as café direct seem to be making real progress. Not only do they tick all the fair-trade boxes, they also have two Southern tea and coffee growers on their Board, and ethical shares in which shareholders can invest with the understanding that profit is not defined solely in terms of capital at the expense of basic human rights - almost unheard of in corporate history.

So next time you’re sacrificing an extra beer at your local to buy some premium FT wine, or paying that little extra for Divine chocolate in the Union shop you can rest assured that the hands taking it from the ground were less exploited, and you’re still supporting marginalized farmers in deprived countries. Just don’t let the big bad boys get one over on you by pulling your heart strings in the direction of the little kids growing tea plants, while they’re the ones laughing all the way to the bank.

by Rachel Irwin

Crossword No. S2

Sudoku and crossword every day Play with your mind Register for our student discount scheme and you could be reading The Daily Telegraph for as little as 25p. To claim your vouchers freephone 0800 181 222 or e-mail student@telegraph.co.uk. Please include your name, address, university, the year your course ends, your student ID number and REF 280.

Solution No. S1

Across

Down

1 Conservative team having merit, being thoughtful to others (11) 10 In Paris Estelle is cheered(5) 11 The French scheme backed by the German and the Scandinavian (9) 12 Sadly lost again, longing for yesterday (9) 13 Setback suffered by unfortunate daughter in situation needing uplift? (5) 14 Money in parable (story associated with New Testament) (6) 16 Ask English woman

coming in to provide drink(8) 18 Detestable dogs kept by Bill and Edward (8) 20 Appearing in collection of stories is the goddess (6) 23 By the lake one ram becomes animated (3,2) 24 One must put things in inches higher (9) 26 Oxford may gain lustre on account of this (9) 27 Ape one whose hand was frozen? Just a little cold (5) 28 Adapting to industrial processes requires various mini-changes (11)

Sudoku

2 Circle a little girl constructed to make haven (5) 3 Support American volunteers beset by wickedness (7) 4 Sail into river in flood (6) 5 Leap around in grass that is set aside (8) 6 Walk south of road junction reveals rubbish (7) 7 Stop transport to one of our cathedral precincts (5,2,1,5) 8 Recommend a day to go round very old clubs (8) 9 What careless builder did

6 8 5

Sudoku and crossword every day Play with your mind

No S2, Level: Gentle To solve this puzzle each 3 x 3 box, each row and each column must contain all the numbers 1 to 9. While the rules of this logic puzzle may be simple, there are numerous strategies to help you solve sudoku.

Solution No. S1 8 4 3 2 9 5 6 1 7

2 7 6 1 8 4 3 5 9

1 5 9 6 7 3 2 8 4

3 6 4 8 2 7 5 9 1

7 1 5 4 6 9 8 3 2

9 8 2 3 5 1 7 4 6

5 9 8 7 4 6 1 2 3

4 3 7 5 1 2 9 6 8

6 2 1 9 3 8 4 7 5

Register for our student discount scheme and you could be reading The Daily Telegraph for as little as 25p. To claim your vouchers freephone 0800 181 222 or e-mail student@telegraph.co.uk Please include your name, address, university, the year your course ends, your student ID number and REF 280.

9 2 3

6

was terribly indiscreet (7,1,5) 15 Mode of speaking has put Colin out terribly (8) 17 Wicked food full of badness (8) 19 Reply I send off in heartless rage (7) 21 Emotional shocks after crash in Sumatra (7) 22 A second bird at the back of the boat (6) 25 Yellow providing an unsatisfactory answer (5)

8

3 7 4

3 4

7 1

4 2

1 9

7 5 9

3

5

5 4 6

4 3 8

Do you have an eye for fashion? Would you consider yourself up to speed on this season’s trends? Would you feel at home working with Dundee retailers to deliver what’s hot and what’s not to Dundee University students? Perhaps you’re known for having an ear to the ground with all the fashion news? If this is right up your street and you want to share your knowledge with the student body, then The Magdalen would like to hear from you!

Our fashion section could be buzzing with latest news from DoJ. From bespoke jewellery to textile design, The Magdalen is an alternative platform for University of Dundee students to introduce their lines and ideas into the student arena.

In the run up to DoJ’s Degree Show, The Magdalen would like to showcase cutting edge designs from the pool of talent working on campus. We are keen to highlight all variants of work from the Illustration department to Graphic Design. If you would like to see your creativity displayed in the pages of The Magdalen, get in touch at themagdalen@dusa.co.uk to discuss the potential!

Lauren Bennie Editor

Fashion

Film Reviews > Films To watch or not to watch? What films should you be spending your hard earned cash on:

Rambo

Age certification (18)

Be Kind Rewind

Jumper

Age certification (12a)

Age certification (12a)

Not content with resurrecting one 80s movie legend, Sylvester Stallone has done it again and brought us another (and so we are told, the last) in the Rambo series. his time John Rambo is in Burma, where the state armed forces are wiping out the inhabitants in each village. As any red blooded male can assume, Stallone steps straight into the danger and Rambo once again immerses himself in another war, fighting the good fight as they say. The action is much more realistic than those of the previous films, not to mention filled with extra grit and morality than the series has ever attempted before. Action fans do not be disappointed, as war is splendidly glorified and the kill count is more than all three previous movies combined! Even the acting is bearable, with Stallone’s usual teak-like expression actually helping to emphasise the complete isolation that Rambo has subjected himself to and his utter distaste and mistrust of any human contact. Well worth a watch as far as high octane action is concerned, but do not expect any message except “war is only solved by more war”. EB

Director Michel Goddard (of “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” fame) has made a movie about making movies.

However this is not a fly-on-the-wall style docu-film, or anything instructional whatsoever. Instead we have been blessed with a quirky, light-hearted and heartwarming piece of film, centring on a VHS rental store during the rise and rise of the DVD. Starring Jack Black and Mos Def as a hapless pair of employees who must re-make every film in the store after every tape is erased in a freak accident, this is a wonderfully simple and yet immensely entertaining piece of film.

Not only is “Be Kind Rewind” full of splendidly made spoofs of almost any film you can think of, it is also a film with a lot of heart, and will be appreciated by everyone from the cynical student to your Cary Grant loving Grandmother. Recommended. EB

Upon first hearing the idea behind “Jumper”, one could be forgiven for being excited.

A group of time travellers being hunted down by mercenaries sounds like every sci-fi fan’s idea of a perfect Saturday night.

Unfortunately, as is the case with most sci-fi blockbusters, the film going public will be left wishing they had stayed in their own time.

This film is to be avoided at all costs, with plot thinner than a lap-dancer’s g-string and acting so wooden it makes Keanu Reeves look like Charlton Heston. Even Samuel L Jackson, who tends to be the saving grace in every film he appears in, is a complete disappointment. As far as visual effects go, prepare to be impressed at first, but after a while the “jumping” looks more like advanced time-lapse than a state-of-the-art computer generated effect. So, in summary, if you like no-brainers and terribly constructed plots, this is the film for you. Normal people will be left wishing they had spent their fiver on a can of pepper spray to make sure they never have to witness anything like this ever again.

EB

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Let it Be...? > Drugs, Sex and Rock n Roll In a decade which has seen the beginning of a new millennium, the de-classification of certain drugs and the rise of the “binge drinking” culture, we have to ask if rock’n’roll really is the cause of all the wrongs in the world. Is Amy Winehouse the face of Satan himself? Is Pete Doherty the doer of all evil? Would any of these people even survive in the limelight as iconic figures in a generation without the existence of the rock n roll drug free for all?

This article isn’t here to question if drugs should be made legal, or to ponder the meaning of life itself, but instead to question ask if these people should be viewed as role models or music-makers.

So we begin from the very start of popular music, the good times of proper rock’n’roll.

In Britain, rockers in the 1960’s were heavily influenced by musicians from across the Atlantic, leading to the formation of bands such as the Yardbirds, the Animals and the Rolling Stones. A public who appreciated music made from the minds of gods such as Keith Richards, Robert Plant and others in the “British invasion” created these iconic figures. (The same gods who experimented with drugs throughout their musical careers.) May I state again that The Magdalen is not condoning the use of drugs whatsoever, but should we perhaps contemplate if these people are acceptable role-models for our children?

The Beatles are a prime example of a band that influenced thousands of aspiring guitar players. John Lennon is a man held in high regard in the world of music, your mum probably fancied him (or Paul McCarthy, whatever she’s into) and your dad most likely wanted to be him.

by Natalie Coupar

Their music is an astounding contribution to British culture and some would say a knighthood for Sir Paul McCarthy’s illustrates this collective feeling.

But hold on. Lest we forget Lucy in The Sky with Diamonds are we seriously going to presume that narcotics did not influence the Beatles music?

In today’s society, people continue to look at musicians as role models, and not as music-makers. It is our society who made music come hand in hand with fame, not vice-versa. Why should musicians be held accountable for their actions for the sake of our kids? Take away the private lives of today’s rock’n’roll stars and you can forget Winehouse, throw away Pete Docherty, crucify the Kinks and most definitely kick out the Klaxons.

Musicians exist for the sole purpose of entertaining their audience and pushing boundaries from techno to grindie, emo to jazz-funk. Musicians are not there to babysit kids and give classes on morals (with the exception of Cliff Richard).

So I ask you, if you truly believe that musicians should be educators and not innovators, go to your CD rack and empty it in the bin. I don’t condone the use/misuse of drugs in any sense, but I firmly believe that if somebody else wants to dabble then its none of my business. As long as the music is good, I’ll keep buying the records. At The Magdalen we love to hear your opinion, should Amy Winehouse be arrested? Do you think that Pete Doherty should be sent to hell? Or do think that, in the words of the Beatles, we should just, “Let it be?”

Love Music > Cast your mind back...

> Alternative artist reviews The Levellers

A Life Less Ordinary (single) Although you may have only ever heard their 1997 hit “What a Beautiful Day”, The Levellers have never stopped touring and releasing albums since their formation in 1988. Their latest offering, a two song single previewing their forthcoming (yet still untitled) studio album, is both hopelessly infectious and marvellous fun to listen to.

With roots in both punk and folk music, these songs could be played anywhere from a dingy drinking hole to a packed Liar.

“A Life Less Ordinary” is a traditional punk song with jerky and uplifting melodies and a chorus line that just begs to be danced to while b-side “The Cholera Well” has a more traditional feel. Don’t let the term “traditional” fool you however, you will be infected upon your first listen and will be jigging like a maniac in no time. EB

Rating

Hot Chip

Made In The Dark (album) Hot Chip are cool. We can’t debate this, it is just fact. With their previous effort “The Warning” they had hit upon a fresh and exciting sound while still being poppy enough to dazzle the mainstream market.

And, of course, they have cranked the coolswitch to 11 for this, their third and most experimental outing to date. The sound is more full and brash than the sometimes minimalist “Warning”, with tracks such as “Shake A Fist” and “Hold On” enveloping the listener in a wall of electro-funk that is far too powerful to ignore. The brilliantly precise opener “Out at the Pictures” and lead single “Ready for the Floor” are exactly what your repeat button was made for and make dancing compulsory for all.

Unfortunately, the title track leaves a lot to be desired. Thankfully, the rest of the album is bouncier than the Olympic trampoline team and will not disappoint anyone from the new listener to the seasoned fan. EB

Rating

Way Back When!

10 Years Ago No.1 Singles Run DMC vs. Jason Nevins – It’s Like That Boyzone – All That I Need All Saints – Under The Bridge / Lady Marmalade No.1 Albums Pulp – This Is Hardcore Robbie Williams – Life Thru A Lens Massive Attack – Mezzanine

5 Years Ago No.1 Singles Room 5 feat. Oliver Cheatham – Make Luv Busted – You Said No Tomcraft – Loneliness No.1 Albums White Stripes – Elephant Coldplay – A Rush of Blood to the Head Madonna – American Life

> The soundtrack of your life

by Gavin McNee

Rob Ryder-Richardson (Hon. Secretary) Q. The first song you ever loved?

A. These Boots Are Made For Walking - Nancy Sinatra

Q. First song you ever bought?

A. Respectable - Mel & Kim

Q. Song that reminds you of Uni? A. Synth and Strings - Yomanda

Q. The world is coming to an end!

What is the last song you want to hear?

A. White Diamond (Film Version) - Kylie

Q. Song of the moment?

Left: OneRepublic

> Albums the world should own

An Addition of the Future OneRepublic – Dreaming Out Loud This month’s ‘Albums the word should own’ takes a little detour into our current music scene. Usually, we would look at albums gone by which deserve to be recaptured in the spotlight for lyrical abilities, timelessness or cult classic tendancies. However, Laurie Cameron presents OneRepublic as a sound of things to come.

One of Myspace’s biggest bands ‘OneRepublic’ release their debut album ‘Dreaming Out Loud’ on March 10 after collaborating with rapper Timbaland on the hugely successful ‘Apologize’. After the releases of ‘Apologize’ and new single ‘Stop and Stare’, OneRepublic have collected an enormous fan base and have made history by becoming the biggest ever airway hit on US radio with their first single. And after listening to their debut album ‘Dreaming Out Loud’, their success is unlikely to stop any time soon. This 15-track album is a mix of rocked-up niceness with quieter ballads that capture the emotional brilliance of the band. The album shows off not only the winning vocals of lead singer Ryan Tedder but also of their use of an orchestra of instruments. Its stunning musical arrangements together with such emotional lyrics have produced a cracking album. The hushed melody of ‘Come Home’ and the rockier ‘Say (All I Need)’, although different, both represent the moving brilliance that the band can encapsulate.

I don’t often find an album that I don’t have to skip any track on that isn’t as good as the rest, but honestly I’d happily listen to the whole album over and over. OK, well if I had to choose, I guess ‘Someone to Save You’ isn’t as strong as the rest.

Fans of the band’s recent singles won’t be disappointed with ‘Dreaming Out Loud’; its stunning vocals and rocky orchestral sound has stolen my focus from any other band at the moment. I’m away to rip it to my MP3 for a session at the gym. LC

Add it to your Gym workout playlist!

A. WOW - Kylie

> Myspacez of the month David McNee

myspace.com/davidmcnee Influenced by the Smashing Pumpkins, Coldplay and KT Tunstall, this month’s Myspace of the Month is talented newcomer David McNee. Living in Glasgow, David has shown himself to be very much in demand, collaborating with numerous other musicians for their albums including Paul McKenna’s album ‘Back Home’. David’s acoustic/alternative sound is modernised by his unique use of instruments including the mandolin and bouzouki, showing he’s more than just your normal acoustic guitarist and vocalist.

Although only one tune features on his Myspace at the moment, his song ‘Heart of Stone’ proves a hit with us – easy to listen to, good vocals and cracking lyrics. Reviewed numerously by BBC radio stations, David has been described as having a “wonderful sound...terrific production...brilliant voice.”

We’re with you there. 15,000 profile views?

He deserves more. Go on – check this guy out...he may even add more tracks! LC

‘

...the rest of the album is bouncier than the Olympic trampoline team.

’

> Reviews

.Boys

Like Girls The Great Escape (single)

Elbow Grounds for Divorce(single)

The Cardigans Best of (album)

Rating

Rating

Blood Red Shoes Box of Secrets (album)

Mark Ronson Just (single)

BoyKillBoy Stars and the Sea (album)

Brighton duo BRS are ready to release one of the most anticipated albums of the year in April. After a crazy touring schedule and a string of acclaimed singles such as ‘It’s Getting Boring By The Sea,’‘I Wish I Was Someone Better’ and ‘You Bring Me Down,’ this album is full of energy, bite, tunes and passion.

Apparently Blood Red Shoes is the perfect name for this band as band member Steven explains, “Bleeding fingers and toes is what makes music great. The noisier it is, the more painful things get. That’s where I always want to be, especially at live shows. It makes people dance.” Box of Secrets is released on 14 April.

UC

With this, his fourth single off his highly successful album Version; producer de jour Mark Ronson returns with a new spin on Radiohead’s 1995 hit single Just. Enlisting the vocal services of Alex Greenwald, Ronson turns the track into a pop soul anthem for the current generation. Whilst a good take on a classic track, it does not match up to his versions of Valerie and Oh My God for which many feel that his versions were superior to the originals.

The single features the edited radio version plus the original album cut and an instrumental version. Ronson’s skill is undeniable and it is clear to see why he has won his fair share of Grammys and Brits.

GM

The four Essex boys of BKB release Stars and the Sea on 31 March as their follow up to their 2006 Gold-selling debut album ‘Civilian.’ Recorded with superproducer Dave Sardy (Oasis, Red Hot Chilli Peppers), this mighty 11-track album demonstrates a new up-and-at‘em attitude and will help to push the lads to the top end of the charts. Their 50 show tour kicked off on 17 January and even landed them in Dundee, with some good PR and dedication, Boy Kill Boy have the potential to catch up with other guys on their label like Razorlight and The Killers.UC

Rating

Rating

Rating

The four piece rock/pop band release debut single ‘The Great Escape’ this month following a successful UK tour with Plain White T’s in January. Labelled as the new Fall Out Boy, BLG have been highly acclaimed by music mags and won Band of the Year 2006 in Spin Magazine. But how good is their new single? Its pop giddiness is easy to listen to, proving to be pretty catchy (annoyingly leaving me humming it in my head hours later). The teenage audience who’ve hit that ‘rebel stage’ of puberty will like lyrics – “We’ll scream loud at the top of our lungs, and they’ll think it’s just cause we’re young.” Not the most original sound, nor imaginative. But the kids like it. Bless. LC

Rating

Taken from their upcoming new album ‘The Seldom Seen Kid’ released in March, Elbow return with their new single ‘Grounds for Divorce’. A tribute song to former band member Bryan Glancy who died in 2006, ‘Grounds for Divorce’ is perhaps one of their rockiest tunes, with its distorted guitar riffs and constant hand-clapping beat. However, front man Guy Garvey still manages to encapsulate a soft and tender voice through lyrics which paint a picture of an alcoholic father drinking to his “seldom seen kid” who in the end ends up in his father’s shoes. Don’t confuse the heartfelt lyrics with a sappy sounding ballad – this single is anything but. It’s rocky, its moving and its beautiful. LC

This once powerful 90s pop band has somewhat faded from the spotlight. This is a shame as they came out with some of the best tunes of a decade. Most famous for the dreamlike pop anthem Lovefool (from the Romeo + Juliet soundtrack), the band proved that they could produce great pop music without compromising any artistic integrity.

Other highlights include the hit singles My Favourite Game and Erase / Rewind. Despite not being too much in the public eye these days, the band are still quite a phenomenon over on YouTube with their videos recieving over a million hits. This is a vital piece of 90s memorabilia and a worthy buy for any pop music collector. GM

Spotlight On... > New Talent

Duffy 23 year old Welsh blueeyed soul singer (Aimee Anne) Duffy is certainly going to be one of the biggest names in music when 2008 draws to an end. She has just recently released her album Rockferry to much critical and commercial success.

Make Model Glaswegian sextet Make Model should be huge. Pure and simple. It’s apparent that having one of 2007’s most infectious pop songs (The Was) to their name was not enough to gain them the recognition they deserve. In a world filled with average indie anthem after average indie anthem, it is sad that

something with a different vibe is unable to make any real impact on the music scene. The band is currently on tour, playing gigs all over the country, including one at the Doghouse on the 11th of April. Make Model are well worth a fiver of your hard earned cash (or overdraft).

Go give them some support.

The most recognisable track from this album has got to be her recent UK hit Mercy, which topped the charts on download sales alone. Critics have heralded her as both a modern day Dusty Springfield and the next Amy Winehouse. For once it seems that they could in fact be right.

Duffy’s album Rockferry is available now on A&M records.

T in...

Floor 5 > Gig Review We all wish we could go to T In The Park.

Unfortunately, the price this year and the sheer impossibility of acquiring tickets (did you SEE the queue at Groucho’s?!?!) mean that most of us will miss out on the experience. Thankfully, the guys at the Dundee University Bands Society felt our pain and held their own!

Cosmonaut Petition graced the stage first and sprang instantly into action with their catchy and innovative style. Bouncy drums, thumping bass-lines and infectious choruses make this five piece an act to look out for in the future, with a monstrously impressive stage presence and dynamic for such a recently formed band. Without sounding too eager, this reviewer cannot wait to see them again.

Sarah Gillespie and the Grooves is a name which is spreading faster than a fire in a match factory, and watching them play live one can understand why. Sarah commands attention, belting out instant classics with a husky and tuneful vocal sound reminiscent of K.T. Tunstall or Sharleen Spiteri. The Grooves themselves are a perfect backing band, fitting together tighter than Russell Brand’s trousers and providing the smooth undertones to Gillespie’s acoustic, sometimes bluesy sound. Finishing on an encore cover of the Foo’s “Times Like These” that had even the most modest of audience members rocking, it’s clear that these guys know what their doing and do it well.

Colour Coded, on the other hand, appear more and more like a constant disappointment. After their first two songs, all seems awesome. The band attract attention, their songs are catchy (just try not singing “I’m on fiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiire” for about a week after you see them) and the audience cannot ignore the fact that this is a well oiled show. By the fifth song, however, you wonder where the variety is.

by Eoin Boylan Full of persona, one wonders if their music will ever live up to their bravado and sheer energy on stage, as by halfway through this reviewer could not be bothered anymore. Every song was so similar it was like watching an indie Status Quo, which is a shame because Colour Coded have the talent and the presence to go places, but they desperately need to change their song-writing formula if they want that to happen. If variety is the spice of life, Colour Coded are like eating egg and chips every day.

Satisfying and wholesome but monotonous and unexciting over time.

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Presidential Candidate for Dundee University Student Association

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Karen Holden

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View larger image What would you consider as the key strategic priorities DUSA should be addressing and why?

As President my key aims would include promoting a more inclusive Association, by engaging students at the Kirkcaldy campus, distance learners and mature students. I feel these groups are key as they are under represented within the Association. I shall also endeavour to maintain the successful recreation and social aspects of the union. It is my opinion that these services are already excellent, but there is, of course, room for improvement.

The best way to achieve this goal is to engage students and improve the service based on their feedback.

Developing the advice and support services within the Association are also amongst my priorities. I look forward to supporting the new Vice Presidents for Welfare and Campaigns in their roles, and I feel having been a volunteer and a paid member of staff with the HELP service I am very well equipped to do this. My aims for HELP would be to make the service as accessible, effective and appropriate as possible. I propose identifying gaps in the existing service would do this, enabling the Association to enrich the service. Overall I feel it is vital that the Association makes best use of its resources to benefit our students.

What do you feel is key to ensuring commercial success for DUSA?

As president of DUSA I would be representative of the student body and therefore any issues that may arise; this includes liasing with the university when needed.

Taking responsibility for DUSA’s actions and improving student experience would be my priorities.

Given that commercial services are essential to the Associations ability to provide advice and support services they need to be successful, and also should strive be first-class, providing students with the very best in social and recreational facilities. I feel this would be best achieved by responding to the opinions and feedback of the students. Over the past year there has been an increase in student led events in the Union, which has contributed greatly to the successes of the commercial services. I feel that this development should be continued into the future and students should be encouraged to support events in their Union.

How will you ensure that pastoral services are relevant for students and fit for purpose?

Having been involved as a volunteer with the HELP service at DUSA I am very keen to develop this service and look forward to working with the Vice Presidents for Welfare and Campaigns to do this. In the past the HELP service and the Executive have appeared very separate, I propose to encourage all the executive members to engage with HELP and all contribute their skills and talents to the service, making it as reliable, accessible and fit for purpose as possible.

I feel that HELP covers some of its main target areas more than others, for example, the health and private lodgings aspects have had a lot of focus, I feel it is essential to put more emphasis on to the education section, and to promote the

legal aspect more. I propose that in order to do this, HELP must be much better advertised both inside and out with the association. I also think that HELP must also strive to form partnerships and bonds with other bodies, such as the NHS, who can deliver training, thus promoting education. To provide the very best in pastoral services DUSA needs to work with other bodies in the university; especially Student Services as there are many resources available which can be much more relevant, accessible, appropriate and engaging with the partnership with DUSA. How will you ensure that DUSA remains financially sound?

As the Associations finances are very fluid resources I feel it is imperative to the Association that these assets are monitored and evaluated in an appropriate and productive way. This would ensure that the association, not only succeeds in meeting its financial requirements, but also manages to create enough surplus to advance the facilities available to students, therefore advancing the student experience within the Association and the University. It is my opinion that the best way to achieve this aim is to ensure that proper use is made of the resources already existing in DUSA, for example the very skilled financial team. I also feel that it is key for the financial aspects of the associations business to be much more open and accessible to the student body.

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View larger image What would you consider as the key strategic priorities DUSA should be addressing and why?

The areas which need to be DUSA’s priority in the near future are its Pastoral and Representative roles. I am currently working on a communication strategy for DUSA, when finished it will accompany a non-commercial strategy which lays the road for DUSA’s pastoral and representative activity over the next few years.

DUSA has been lacking direction in its pastoral and representational roles and this is evidenced by the lack of activity in these areas. I will provide a base on which to build its pastoral service as a matter of priority.

Commercially we must do more to provide students with what they want than we currently do. Greater student involvement in decisions made on club nights, food sales and other areas will allow students to have more of a say in what they get and be a valuable recourse to the decision makers in DUSA. Numerous strategies have been written over the years and are lying in filing cabinets. It is my goal to make sure that this does not happen next year, to be honest we cannot afford for that to happen. DUSA is really lacking in a number of areas and is not fulfilling its obligation to students, we need to work hard to make sure weare providing what our students need.

DUSA has a commercial strategy which we are working to at present, it will pave the way for a DUSA that is more in touch with the students and

As with any role on DUSA it is important to offer strong and effective representation for students. Leading and supporting the executive in their roles is very important and as the head of DUSA making sure the association is run well.

provides them with what they want from their union.

What do you feel is key to ensuring commercial success for DUSA? More students should be using the union. DUSA has become mainstream and doesn’t feel like a union. I will run a union that strives to be as diverse as the student body it represents.. The key to commercial success is providing what students want. Increasingly DUSA is under pressure to compete as Students wants and needs change so we need to be ahead of the game. We also need to become more open when it comes to decision making, token involvement in projects is not enough, we need to get students in here and do what they want us to.

How will you ensure that pastoral services are relevant for students and fit for purpose?

The pastoral service offered by DUSA has fallen apart over the last year. The service offered supported volunteers with a coordinator but that member of staff left. Student Services units were moved to DUSA at he the start of the year to form a ‘front line service’ to students in need of support, this has not happened. The units within Student Services remain fragmented and to not offer a co-ordinated service.

Working with the university, I will establish a Student Advice Centre, not a fancy branding exercise but a real resource for students, jointly run by DUSA and Student Services. Our students

will be able to come to one place, whatever their problem is, be it academic appeals, accommodation or sexual health, and get the support they need.

The Centre will have other resources to help students. A detailed website will offer advice to students who are not quite ready to discuss their problems with someone – this will allow for some peoples fears to be put to rest instantly.

Another hugely important part of the advice is the resources and structure it will offer volunteers working on campaigns and helping other students – giving them proper support in their work.

How will you ensure that DUSA remains financially sound?

Making sure DUSA remains financially sound relies upon making sound decisions. Taking the advice of those around but at the same time maintaining a focus the objectives you have set and not being led is also very important. I have the advantage of a background in accountancy so when figures are presented to me I can interpret them, I have been receiving finance updates at board meetings for that last year so I know what to expect and can see trends and patterns, both good and bad.

A students union should foremost care for its students, before profits, market share or any other measurement of commercial success.

DEPUTY PRESIDENT Deputy President Candidate

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Ryan Bothamley

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Post Graduate

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View larger image Representation: I think one problem with representation at Dundee University is the manner with which some of the school presidents conduct themselves at the student representative council (SRC).

As deputy president (and I really think it’s the deputy presidents job here!), I would aim to meet all school presidents and as many class Reps as possible. Firstly to show them the executives support for themselves and their role.

Secondly I would explain the importance and expectation their appointment carries. I would explain that they are representatives of their peers and I would advise the school presidents how they should be meeting with the class Reps to find out what are the issues affecting the student body. Also I would aim to instil enthusiasm in them for their role.

Thirdly, I think it’s the responsibility of the deputy president to support the elected students and their various roles on a daily basis. As well as supporting and advising the school presidents and class reps, I would actively seek to discover issues that need representing among Dundee’s students.

Engagement: For deputy president, I see engagement as central to its position. So to improve engagement, I would attend as much of the fresher’s fair events as possible to get myself

The role of Deputy President is an exciting and important one, apart from it being a brand new executive position it has a very important role as a link between the student president and the rest of the executive, even more important it is a senior representational role. and my position known to a new crop of students. I would also aim to attend all invitations to student societies and finally to hold student surgeries.

Employability and academic skills: Ensuring that suitable events careers events are held and information is available from DUSA, and is well advertised and promoted by DUSA. I would also like to be able to advice students on where to obtain information within the university.

Representation nationally: As the current school president of Duncan of Jordanstone, I already have experience in representing students’ issues at national level. I joined the student protest held at the Scottish parliament to convince voting MSP’s to scrap the graduate endowment. If elected, I would aim to work with the vice president of communications to publicise highlighted student issues, Contacting local and national news papers for example.

Trustee status: To conduct yourself as an exemplary member of the association, and to manage its assets and protect the association and its earnings as a charity.

What are your three main policies for office?

To fulfil the Duncan of Jordanstone students wish to have the art schools opening hours extended.

To represent student voices purposively and positively and to argue strongly for issues important to them.

To advocate the interest of all students, especially the underrepresented, in particular I wish the role of deputy president to promote the interests and needs of international, postgraduate, and disabled students.

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DEPUTY PRESIDENT Deputy President Candidate

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Andrew Michie

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View larger image Representation: I think that the main problem with representation with our university is that because we cater for so many different types of students it is sometimes difficult to either hear or to take on board their views. I have thought long and hard of how this problem could be solved and I think for input from all areas of university we need the co-operation of all the schools, all schools have their own societies or committees and each have representatives from each class. I think to form a committee that has a representative or two from each school would enable resolution of a great deal of misrepresentation. I also think it may be beneficial to have a representative from each of the societies on this committee to ensure that no input is missed.

Engagement: Student engagement is such a big part of what I see my job to be, in fact that is what I foresee my job to be. However I do not think that it is just contact between the student and the student executive, it is student to student interaction. I think that there could be a more varied programme of events at the union to cater for as many people as we can. Communication is crutial with the societies and clubs that are in the university, not just the ones that are most popular to see how the union can support them.

Employability and academic skills: Naturally students come to university to

I see my role of Deputy as being an approachable member of the Exec. I see it as working closely with all the societies and other extra-curricular activities within the university, also working with the international students, minorities students and any other students who are involved in any way with the university. In short I see my position of office very much to serve you the Student.

become more academically appealing to prospective employers and better qualified in their chosen field, and I think that the Union can do more to help with that.

This can be taken over a number of fields whether it is helping to get the experience with in your chosen field, or run extra courses that will be beneficial across the board (i.e non course specific). I would like to work closely with the schools of the university in this to make sure that we can offer the best possible experience for you all. I would also like to communicate with the university’s Careers service to see whether we can provide any extra support to help them in their quest to assist the best service.

we need to change we must make a stand and if elected I would see it as my duty to make sure that a true reflection of students of Dundee University is portrayed

Representation nationally: Dundee University and union is one of the most highly regarded in our country and I want to keep it that way, further promoting it if possible. Students tend to get bad publicity and the press tend to dwell on the negative. In my opinion this is just a very small percentage of students and I will strive to promote positive publicity. I will fight for what is right within the student body and will not back down if that is what the body wants. I will also work closely with the local SMP and MP to get the views of Dundee students across to the country. For example last week a SMP commented on how young people and students dress like ‘neds’ and act in the same way, well I ask you as you are reading this look around you, how many people fit that category? I would imagine very few if any, this is what

What are your three main policies for office?

To support and assist the progression of the peer tutor throughout the whole university not just in selected Schools as it is at the moment.

Trustee status: Being a member of the Executive would give me trustee status. I see the main duties of a trustee, while in office, as representing the view of the student body at all times, being part of the body that has responsibility of the Union building itself and its up-keep. I also feel that I am liable to carry requests from the student body, and passing on the views and opinions of them. I believe that there is no place for personal politics in being a trustee.

To promote and support the peer connections and introduce more students to what it offers and how the can utilise this fantastic service and how they can get involved if they wish.

Improve and maintain the promotions in the Union, and to campaign for a Wednesday night to be totally free entry at any time and not just before eleven.

---End of Campaign Material---

DEPUTY PRESIDENT Deputy President Candidate

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Cameron Ritchie

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View larger image Representation:

Representation at Dundee is currently failing.

Very few students are interested in representing their peers, meaning that the system is without purpose. This, in my opinion, is due to several reasons. The first of these is owing to the representation system offering little to those who decide on take on the role of class or year reps.

In order to make it a more attractive prospect I intend to give those who become involved real and transferable skills that will not only stand them in good stead in the workplace, but also help to build a successful C.V. By attempting to coach those who become representatives in management skills, I believe that interest will improve, as will the quality of people who fill these roles.

Another problem is that there is little in the way of pride in the academic schools. While the single subject schools such as medicine, law and dentistry have a strong sense of identity, other schools, such as humanities, are so large that they often become impersonal. I think that there is significant scope to improve this as a program of interschool competitions could be organised in order to create a greater spirit and therefore a greater reason to represent your school.

In my opinion, the other big problem with representation is in the executive; which can become distant from the student body. If elected, I commit myself to an open surgery so that any of the 19,000 students at this university can have direct contact with me.

Engagement:

In order for it to be worth the while of students to engage in matters of the university, I believe that several things must happen. The Executive needs to step up efforts in advertising the issues that are at the heart of university life. I strongly suspect, that a great many students would like to get involved in the student politics and

The role of the Deputy President is crucial to the University and specifically the student body. The main purpose is to be fully involved in the promotion of representation as well as enhancing the student experience for all Dundee attendees. representational side of things but have not been made aware of the issues that are facing them.

I also think, as mentioned above, that the students of Dundee need to be given greater reason to involve themselves in university processes. There should be a reward for taking on what can be difficult and time consuming work.

For this reason, I, as Deputy President, would strive to create a system that rewards those who are involved, helping them to build their skills and create a successful student.

Employability and academic skills:

The University of Dundee is one of Scotland’s premium universities. Educational standards are exceptionally high and employability levels are impressive. This does not mean that Dundee can relax. In order to ensure that there is a general high standard to employability, I believe that the careers office should be made more of. Already there is a fantastic service with superb support in place in order to ensure that students have the best career advice possible.

Educational standards must be kept at their current level and improved upon if possible. Due to the current financial status of the University, there are still threats of cuts to staffing and courses and I would actively seek to avert these.

Cuts would have an adverse effect the teaching quality and learning ability of students. If at all possible this must not happen.

Representation nationally:

As the head of the representation system at Dundee, it is my role as Deputy President to ensure you get a fair voice at a national level.

Through work on external committees I plan to be a vocal supporter of the students of this university. Many issues are difficult to handle when dealt with as Dundee University in isolation but these can become much easier to act upon

with other student executives. Having said this, it is also crucial that Dundee students get representation on points that may be unique to Dundee. To this extent I can promise that any serious problem identified by a student that I represent, will be pursued until a satisfactory conclusion is reached. The student population has been lied to and maligned often in recent years and I plan to help put a stop to this and defend your interests.

Trustee status:

As a trustee of the Executive I must perform some key roles and I relish this prospect. I look forward to being an important member of your executive and being bound to represent the people of the University at board, community and national level. I also look forward to the potential of retaining a close link to the student community who I will be working for. The tendency to retreat to the office has never been something I have done and I plan to be an important part of the life of students through both the representation system and my planned open surgeries which I hope will encourage the students to talk to me, as well as keeping me close to the general student body.

What are your three main policies for office?

Make the representation system work for students Ensure that the Student Executive retains the student at the centre of all decisions Campaign for more pressure to be put on the government to keep promises made to the students of Scotland.

---End of Campaign Material---

DEPUTY PRESIDENT Vice President of Communications Candidate

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Martin Gribbon

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View larger image If elected what will you do to ensure that existing media such as The Magdalen continues to grow and what ideas do you have for the future of student media at Dundee?

The Magdalen at present is an undervalued resource. It has the potential to capture student imagination and characterise student life, yet it appears to me that each copy struggles to leave its shelf. This may be due to the content failing to appeal or because in our current digital age, nobody wants to read what they can pick up. In order to tackle this I propose to develop the use of online media. The new DUSA website is an improvement yet it can be developed further.

Whilst I recognise the need for online media, the Magdalen can still play a very important role. I aim to develop the Magdalen through a number of means. I would encourage greater student input through competitions for writers, for example by having a ‘best of blogs’ column, whereby the most impressive blogger from dusa. co.uk (or other university webpage) will get a chance to write a piece for the Magdalen. I would particularly like to see contributions by individual societies. I would like to encourage a greater variety of articles, including local gig reviews, local comedy reviews, local sports reviews and other happenings in the Dundee area. It is after all OUR magazine. Most of all, I would like to ensure that the Magdalen has a reputation for being a good read! Further I would like to see a special Magdalen launch party to get things going.

How do you plan to make communications more efficient at DUSA? Simple steps can be taken to improve communications within DUSA. Through working in the entertainments department and having organised events with DUSA as Vice President of the Law School Society, I have first hand experience of how information is passed around DUSA. There are relatively small and certainly

The VPC is charged with promoting, developing and supporting the Association’s communications. The VPC must maintain and advance current methods of media and communications already established in DUSA and develop new or alternate ways of improving the methods of communication. resolvable issues, which must be addressed.

I have noticed that information passed from societies (or other students) to the executive and then to the relative DUSA staff members is being distorted in some way. It is either not given in full or not given in a timely fashion and sometimes not given at all. Having experienced DUSA as an employee and as a student who has used the facilities, I know what information is relevant, who it needs to be passed to and when they need to have it. I believe I can make vast improvements in the communication between students, the executive and DUSA staff. In particular I believe that I can smooth out all the creases that are present in the societies booking process. Further I would like to promote greater involvement in student life. I aim to encourage all students to get involved with their students association, by providing them with the necessary information. Students need to know that they can book events with DUSA, otherwise they never will. They need to know they can attend SRC meetings, otherwise they never will. They need to know they can be involved, otherwise…they never will.

What role do you see the VPC playing in achieving representational goals?

The VPC is the hub through which opinion should be communicated throughout the university and the national framework. The VPC’s role in representing students is not to be underestimated. As the means by which students can express their opinion, the VPC must ensure that such means are made available, accessible and are of a high quality. It is important that the VPC remains within the realms of student opinion. It is necessary that student opinion is reflected by the VPC in his/her dealings with various committees and all those with whom he/ she has contact. It is important that all the press emanating from DUSA reflects the will of the students and that the members of the executive strive to represent all students effectively.

As a member of the Student Executive you will be a trustee of the Association, what do you understand to be the principle duties of a trustee? Trustees of the association must act in the best interest of their beneficiaries, i.e. the students. Generally speaking the duties of a trustee are duties of good faith and duties of good management. As well as avoiding personal gain arising out of the position of trustee, the trustee is expected to ensure that the trust is properly managed and that trustees powers are properly exercised. Further, the trustee must avoid conflicts of interest and act impartially between beneficiaries.

What are your three main policies for office?

-Maintain and develop the current focus on improving live music events as established by the outgoing VPC of 2007/08. DUSA has the facilities to have a vibrant live music scene. I wish to encourage the use of these facilities and build upon the successes of the last academic year.

-Improve the facilitation of student societies ensuring that societies are confident in the services DUSA can provide them. I want societies to know that they can trust DUSA to provide excellent facilities to enable them to hold events and fundraisers of which they can be proud.

Societies are experiencing too many double bookings. I aim to improve the current system of communications within DUSA in order to resolve the simple mishaps that are leading to poorly organised society events.

-I would like the students association to make efforts towards highlighting the wealth of talent present in the university. From sport to music and arts, the students of Dundee University have a lot to offer. Perhaps a forum for art students to show work is required. Possibly more gigs for University bands and other musicians and certainly more reviews of University sports teams are needed.

---End of Campaign Material---

DEPUTY PRESIDENT Vice President of Communications Candidate

ItemNumber: Number:00002156456132 00002156456132 Item MyEday Eday My

OnlineVote Vote2008 2008 Online

Vote John >

Name:

John Thow

Year:

4th

Course:

International Relations and Politics

End Time:

(21-Mar-08 19:00:00 GMT)

Post to:

Dundee University Campus

Item Location:

D.U.S.A

Quantity:

1 Watch This Item

View larger image If elected what will you do to ensure that existing media such as The Magdalen continues to grow and what ideas do you have for the future of student media at Dundee?

I would develop external advertising in the Magdalen, so as to increase readership and contributors. In light of the Magdalen’s success this year, I would also aim to keep all of its current contributors and its editor, as well as introducing an incentive scheme for those working on the Magdalen so as to reward their hard work.

With the launch of the new website there comes opportunity for further advancement in that area. I would look at the possibility of developing “Magdalen TV” through the use of regular video entries on the website. These could be submitted by any student and I would encourage the affiliated societies to make entries in order to inform the student body of what they do so as to improve their memberships. In addition to this I would encourage union staff and the Executive to make entries as well so they can further engage with the student body and keep them up-to-date on the Union’s goings on.

As I have mentioned I would hope to develop external advertising in student media as a means of financing further student media, and other activities, however I would ensure that there was a correct balance between commercial and non-commercial aspects of student media so that students keep control of what is their media and the students remain the focus.

How do you plan to make communications more efficient at DUSA? I will engage and communicate with the stakeholders of the Association through means that are currently available to the VPC. The new website provides a fantastic platform for communicating with the students and other stakeholders. I plan to develop the website into an efficient communication tool and aim to make logging on to the DUSA website a regular

The main roles of the VPC are: To be a representative of all student groups; to coordinate both the internal and external communications of the association and to develop and maintain student media outlets.

occurrence for many of the student body. Also as the internet seems to be a more and more common method of communication for students I would make more use of social networking sites such as Facebook and Bebo in order to engage with the student body. I would also make the Magdalen a better tool for Communication by increasing the number of copies produced so that more copies can be made available to the student population. I also plan to expand on the use and number of poster boards DUSA owns to provide current information about the association to its stakeholders.

What role do you see the VPC playing in achieving representational goals?

I see the the VPC playing a key role in the area of representation. As the spokesperson for the Association and as the person responsible for both the internal and external communications, the VPC is on the front-line of making sure the voices of the students are heard, whether this be at a national, local, university or DUSA level. I believe that the primary role of all of the members of the Executive is to be a representative of the student population here at Dundee University. If the student body wishes to speak its mind on any particular issue the Executive, particularly the VPC, should be there to facilitate and support this. In addition to this the Executive should be available to represent, where relevant, individual students’ interests, for example at the university.

I would work closely with the other members of the Executive in order to create a new, efficient representational structure to effectively cope with the loss of the VP Representation position. In particular I would work with the VP Student Welfare and the VP Campaigns so as to communicate the interests and needs of the students to the relevant people/groups.

As a member of the Student Executive you will be a trustee of the Association,

what do you understand to be the principle duties of a trustee?

The principle duty of a trustee is to ensure the survival of the Students’ Association. The trustees achieve this through ensuring that the association is financially stable and conforms to the law and rules in line with the Official Scottish Charities Regulator (OSCR). This is achieved by regularly reviewing the associations strategy and policies as well as scrutinising the actions of the associations permanent staff, particularly the senior management. The trustees are also required to sit on sub-committees of the Board of Trustees, such as the Remuneration Committee or the Finance & General Purpose Committee, in order that the association may run effectively.

The Trustees are ultimately responsible for the finances of the Association.

What are your three main policies for office?

Develop a advertising/marketing strategy to take full advantage of a change in licensing legislation which allows the association to be open to the general public for 56 days a year. I would also use these 56 days to attract more live acts to the Union, as currently its status as a private members’ club is an obstacle to this.

Develop external advertising in the Magdalen so as to finance an increase the number of copies produced. This I hope would increase the Magdalen’s readership and contributors and therefore increase communication between the association and the student body, as well as inter student communication.

To secure new sources of finance so that DUSA may maintain and improve its services without having to increase costs. I will achieve this through: selling advertising space within DUSA; gaining external grant and trust funding and lobbying the University for an increase in DUSA’s subvention.

---End of Campaign Material---

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DEPUTY PRESIDENT Vice President of Communications Candidate

ItemNumber: Number:00002156456132 00002156456132 Item MyEday Eday My

OnlineVote Vote2008 2008 Online

Vote Alexis >

Name:

Alexis Woods

Year:

4th

Course:

BSC(Hons) Interactive Media Design

End Time:

(21-Mar-08 19:00:00 GMT)

Post to:

Dundee University Campus

Item Location:

D.U.S.A

Quantity:

1 Watch This Item

View larger image If elected what will you do to ensure that existing media such as The Magdalen continues to grow and what ideas do you have for the future of student media at Dundee?

One of the Key Responsibilities of the VPC is student media. The VPC must constantly be the driving force behind its development. If elected what will you do to ensure that existing media such as the Magdalen continues to grow and what idea do you have for the future of student media at Dundee.

It would be rude to say that I want the Magdalen to go in this direction or that direction: I have ideas of where I want to go with student media for instance a creation of a road map and distribution to distance learners and the Kirkcaldy campus. I also want to setup themed events like a beer festival and a BBQ to help promote awareness of the Magdalen. Also I want there to be defined release dates for the Magdalen so students know when and where they can collect it coupling this with Halls of residence distribution and the TV and Radio Stations should give student media a strong footing, backed by distribution to halls and ultimately drive for higher levels of student involvement in all areas of university media.

However the main word here is Student and it up to the Student body to help me make this possible. I believe that with the help of the Student Body we can make the Magdalen Media the best Student Media in Scotland.

How do you plan to make communications more efficient at DUSA? I believe that by offering more to the students and staff at Dundee we can make communication better for everyone. I see the Associations’ media as part of the goal of communication at Dundee.

By also driving forward new ways of getting the media online and accessible not just for some

Acting as a spokesperson I will endeavour to promote, develop and support the Associations Communications, Campaigns, Projects and Awards. I will also drive the Magdalen forward as a beacon to all universities throughout the UK.

students but for all students. I want to ensure that there are spoken word versions of the magazine and audio description versions of the TV station available giving students with disabilities a chance to enjoy the student media at Dundee.

One of my main election promises has been about pushing better communication at DUSA by ensuring that the entire executive responds to emails within one working day and that all communication is two way. Some of the students I have spoken to want to know the outcome of their campaigns and lobbying and I intend to let them know.

What role do you see the VPC playing in achieving representational goals?

Part of my goal for the Magdalen is to create awareness of the student Media arm at a national level. I believe by taking the Magdalen online we can help to achieve this. I also want to help students campaign on a national level utilising our friends at other universities and producing Scotland wide campaigns and communication.

I want to ensure the Students in Dundee are not just represented at a national level but at an international level.

By exploiting the web and pushing forward the Radio and TV I think we can give better representation through communication to every student.

As a member of the Student Executive you will be a trustee of the Association, what do you understand to be the principle duties of a trustee?

I understand that as a Trustee I have a responsibility to not only full fill the goals I have outside in my mission statement but also to develop external and internal relations. The principle duties of a trustee are to ensure that I full fill the following criteria.

-Represent the opinions and interests of the Student Body

-Further Develop the DUSA website.

-Become a representative of the University.

-Organise the Freshers Fayre and Ball.

-Abide by the constitution.

Most importantly however I believe as a trustee I should reflect the views of the students in a transparent and open manner to ensure everyone enjoys their university experience.

What are your three main policies for office?

Create TV and Radio Stations that support and expand Magdalen media.

Whether online or over the air one of the most important things is the setting up of Radio and TV stations coupled with online versions of the Magdalen this will help drive Magdalen media forward.

Fast response times to all enquiries.

I intend to ensure that all enquiries receive a response within one working day.

Honour all commitments to Clubs and Societies.

I intend to ensure that all promises I have made in my manifesto and through out my time in office are honoured. Paramount of these is the promise I have made to the societies - I have promised that I will campaign for busses and expansion of the loyalty card scheme.

---End of Campaign Material---

DEPUTY PRESIDENT Vice President of Student Activities Candidate

ItemNumber: Number:00002156456132 00002156456132 Item MyEday Eday My

OnlineVote Vote2008 2008 Online

Vote Joe >

Name:

Joe Peacock

Year:

3rd

Course:

Politics and International Relations

End Time:

(21-Mar-08 19:00:00 GMT)

Post to:

Dundee University Campus

Item Location:

D.U.S.A

Quantity:

1 Watch This Item

View larger image Student Activities: Societies and Student led events are at the very heart of University life, so high participation in such events are very important to me. I feel that many students are unaware of how they can get fully involved in the activities of DUSA so i would ensure that as many students as possible know what is available to them. Through my participation in the recent Box Wars, which took place as part of the Go Green Campaign, i was able to see how important these events are and why the more people participate the better. In order to increase participation, i would use as much publicity as possible throughout the university campus to let people know what events are happening. I would also like to work with the societies to produce some form of booklet detailing each society and what they all do. I hope this would be accessible to every student, not just first years and thus allow more people to join in and get involved.

Engagement 1: To engage fully with the student body, I would like to continue the good work done by Adam Patrick with regards to the DUSA Commercial Survey by using this information to make visible changes to the services within the Union. I would also like to hold regular focus groups with students from all aspects of university life in an attempt to find out what each student group feels DUSA should be doing for them.

My role as VPSA will require me to work with clubs and societies as well as the activities of the wider student body. My role is to aid in the support and sponsorship of student led activities for all.

I feel this could be particularly beneficial to students wishing to set up a new society or club or those in a minority group, for example post graduate students. After gathering information i would put together an appropriate plan of action to try and tackle the issues that have been raised, and then relay this information back to the students before the proposed solution takes place.

Engagement 2: Having been a member of the Student Representative Council for the past three years, I have met and worked with a large number of students with many different backgrounds and interests. This experience has given me the necessary confidence and skills to work with all types of students and to represent them successfully. I also feel that my time spent as Captain of the Universities Jitsu club has given me experience of working closely with the Sports Union. I intend to strengthen the link between DUSA and the Sports Union. I also intend to assist the smaller clubs and societies within the University to develop and strengthen their profile.

Trustee Status: As a Trustee of the Association I feel that my duties would mainly involve representing the views and opinions of the Student Body as a whole. I will be collaborating with a diverse and extensive body of students at all times to ensure a fair representation on

their behalf. At all times I would be required to abide by the constitution and bye-laws of the organization. I would ensure that my behaviour and conduct for the remainder of my University career would be an example to other students. Not only this, but I feel that as a Trustee I should be recognisable to the Student Body as an effective representative of their issues and be an approachable person. I believe that I am wholly suitable for this position.

What are your three main policies for office: To actively encourage student led events in the union and better its reputation as a hub for students throughout the day.

I will aim to provide a dedicated societies area within DUSA. Allowing them more independence and better facilities to organise publicity for their society or club.

To improve the relationship between the students (DUSA) and the management of the university through regular and open reviews.

---End of Campaign Material---

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DEPUTY PRESIDENT Vice President of Student Activities Candidate

y Eday

OnlineVote Vote2008 2008 Online

ItemNumber: Number:00002156456132 00002156456132 Item MyEday Eday My

Vote Michael >

Name:

Michael Weir

Year:

3rd

Course:

Politics and International Relations

End Time:

(21-Mar-08 19:00:00 GMT)

Post to:

Dundee University Campus

Item Location:

D.U.S.A

Quantity:

1 Watch This Item

View larger image Student Activities: There are high numbers of students at the university who would like to become involved with a society or event and never get round to it simply because they don’t know that they are taking place. Therefore publicity must be the key to boosting participation.

I would work to improve this situation by creating a monthly e-newsletter, sent out to all students giving a list of when and where they are taking place.

Also, I would encourage all societies to hold demonstrations of what they do, ideally away from their usual location in order to gain maximum attention. This could range from a sporting event or fundraiser to an outdoor debate. Where holding an event away from the society’s base isn’t possible, arrange a night where student’s can go along and observe a meeting before they commit to join.

Engagement 1: As well as arranging regular meetings with the society councils and event organisers and responding to any messages I receive from students, I would set aside an afternoon every week for an open surgery.

There, students could come along with any problems or issues that they have.

These would be held away from the Vice President’s office so that they would be more informal than pre-arranged meetings.

This would hopefully encourage any smaller or more diverse groups of students who wouldn’t want to arrange a formal meeting.

When I receive any suggestions from

My role as Vice President of Student Activities would be to boost and encourage all clubs and societies affiliated to the university. Also, I would help to support student events to benefit all students, not just certain groups.

students, I would wherever possible turn them into something that could be implemented in practice. If that wasn’t possible, I would try to offer an alternative way of getting a similar outcome. No matter if it is possible to implement an idea or not, every suggestion would get a personal response.

Engagement 2: Since I started at university, I have tried out as many different activities as possible, from martial arts to volunteer work. It has only been possible for me to do this because of the rich and diverse mix of students that we have at the university. In order to keep supporting this mix of students, I think that the most important quality that I have is that I am open minded with no preconceptions of how any particular groups of students act, or if I did then they were shattered as soon as I started university. I also have a very much “try anything once” attitude so as well as supporting any more unique initiatives; I would probably want to give them a go as well.

Finally, I am a very approachable person who will talk to anyone about their ideas. I believe that the facilities of the association are there for all students, not just a few select groups.

Trustee Status: As a trustee of the association, I believe my main duty would be to represent the views and opinions of the whole student body to the best of my ability, whether this is during meetings of the executive or by taking their

views to a wider audience outside of the university. Also, I believe that I would be responsible for ensuring that both myself and the executive were not only acting in the best interest of the students, but also complying with the constitution of the university.

What are your three main policies for office: Easier for students to have a say. As it stands, all societies are given the Vice President’s contact details. However, I would better publicise this to all students and also promise a personal response to all suggestions that I receive.

Better face to face communication. As well as attending different society meetings in order to learn what their specific needs are, and therefore how best to support them, I also propose holding regular society council meetings where students can raise any issues and ask for help.

Better Allocation of Facilities. The Students’ Association has many excellent facilities that at present are often underused. An example of this is that university transport is available to the sports teams but not for other societies, even when they are not being used. I would implement a fairer way of distributing these facilities so that they can be better used by more students.

---End of Campaign Material---

DEPUTY PRESIDENT Vice President of Student Activities Candidate

ItemNumber: Number:00002156456132 00002156456132 Item My Eday Eday My

OnlineVote Vote2008 2008 Online

Vote Andrew >

Name:

Andrew Smith

Year:

4th

Course:

History

End Time:

(21-Mar-08 19:00:00 GMT)

Post to:

Dundee University Campus

Item Location:

D.U.S.A

Quantity:

1 Watch This Item

View larger image

For me the VPSA has to act as a friend to the societies and ensure that the DUSA services and facilities are being run in the interests of students and that DUSA activities are open and representative of all students.

Student Activities: In order to boost participation it is essential to listen to students. If elected I intend to contact the leading members of all societies and ensure that they have all the support and facilities they need for the coming year. I intend to host forums and discussions with all the societies and faith groups to ensure that they all have access to the facilities we offer and that DUSA can help them through the sponsorship and facilitation of their social events and fundraisers. Through the expansion of the loyalty card scheme I intend to reward the active societies and encourage the less active ones to participate in DUSA activities.

This role is less concerned with the commercial aspects of DUSA than the VPS role has been and if elected I will dedicate all of my time to working with the societies, faith groups and sports clubs to ensure that DUSA represents them. I also intend to visit the satellite campuses and postgraduate groups and discuss how we can expand the appeal of DUSA.

such as film and art shows and provide a book service so that students have a better choice on campus than just the glorified Porta-loo behind the tower building. I intend to have a presence on the satellite campuses and I believe that the introduction of small measures, such as a suggestions box and a public mobile number, can be just as important for encouraging student involvement as any forums or consultation groups. I will not be appointed- I will be elected, and as a result it will be my job to represent all students regardless of if they voted for me.

Furthermore the introduction of a University Radio station will compliment the growth and success of The Magdalen and will provide a forum and a collective voice for all students regarding events on and off campus. If DUSA is open and welcoming to students then students will be welcoming and open to DUSA and it is a testimony to the success of this Executive that all of these elections are being contested.

Engagement 2: One of the great pleasures of our university is the breadth of the diversity on campus and I want to embrace this diversity and make sure that the services offered by the union are working in the interests of ALL groups whether it’s the Islamic Society or the LGBT Society etc. Before coming to Dundee I was involved heavily in the drafting, consultation and promotion of a camping and parliamentary motion that was aimed at removing corporate advertising from Scottish schools, the bill failed by a handful of votes but got support from most of the major parties and anti-poverty groups in Scotland.

Engagement 1: First of all it is important to mention the Commercial Surveys which have been introduced by the last couple of executives, I intend to compliment these with a survey on the quality of student housing and work closely with the sports union regarding representing students in terms of sport and leisure facilities. I will work with an open door policy and reserve specific hours for student consultations. I intend to consult students regarding possible events

Throughout the year I intend to visit all societies, sports clubs and faith groups for face-to-face consultations I can guarantee that if I am elected I will not make any major cultural or environmental changes to DUSA without student consultation; DUSA facilities are not the domain of any executive: they are the property of all students. When we all work together then we achieve more than any of us can on our own.

This is just one example of my work with diverse groups and since then I have been involved in the production of two and award winning documentaries and have worked on a number of domestic campaigns with faith groups, including the anti cuts campaign on campus and the police

consultations regarding the University Special Branch programme.

I have always been very approachable and I respect all beliefs. I have a track record of having worked with diverse groups and I want to carry on doing so and to carry on the good work of the previous executive.

Trustee Status: The principle duty of any trustee, including VPS, is to ensure that the association is managed efficiently and in line with ethical practices. This means in practice that trustees must work in the interests of DUSA at all times and that all money raised in and spent by DUSA is used in the interests of students and that the collective benefit of students is prioritised over the benefits of individual trustees.

What are your three main policies for office?

The introduction of a student radio station The introduction of a ‘Flat-Finder’ service to help students looking for flats or landlords looking for tenants and provide an alternative to the overpriced flats offered by Sanctuary Management which at £320 per month cost more than a good flat in the West End. Hermes no longer helps to provide an alternative so it’s time DUSA did.

To expand the successful loyalty card scheme to give ALL societies the same benefits as the Sports Clubs- if you are doing your best to represent your union then your union should do its best to represent you.

---End of Campaign Material---

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DEPUTY PRESIDENT Vice President of Student Welfare Candidate (Uncontested)

ItemNumber: Number:00002156456132 00002156456132 Item My Eday MyEday Eday My

OnlineVote Vote2008 2008 Online

Vote Rimple >

Name:

Rimple Palana

Year:

3rd

Course:

English Lieterature

End Time:

(21-Mar-08 19:00:00 GMT)

Post to:

Dundee University Campus

Item Location:

D.U.S.A

Quantity:

1 Watch This Item

View larger image What do you think are the welfare priorities for DUSA to develop?

Having volunteered for two years for the welfare services in DUSA I am very aware of the type of support students are looking for. Student welfare is now at a stage where we need to continue but also expand on the campaigns we have already run for health promotions which have proved to be so successful. It is unfortunate that so far students are unaware of the assistance available in the areas of education and legal through the welfare service. It is not unusual to find students in need of support with finding private accommodation and DUSA could improve in this area. It is important to build on the successes the welfare service has already had but the troubles of the welfare system have been all too evident this year and I will work on this situation. I will work closely with the VPSC to ensure the promotion of these services and will create a regular team of volunteers to assist in the growth of welfare within DUSA. As a volunteer coordinator I will abet the growth of student empowerment.

Students should be given the ability to make changes themselves as well as looking for support and advice where it is required.

As VPSW what role do you see the HELP service playing in providing future welfare support?

I intend to see HELP playing a leading and integral role in the future of welfare support

As Vice President of Student Welfare my role will be to care for and develop the HELP service as well as coordinate its volunteers. I will administrate the development of a welfare strategy and interact with the Student Advisory Service.

available in DUSA. The HELP service has been through a lot of changes this year; some good and some not so. I want to see the service strengthen from its current state so that it is accessible and can be the first port of call for students in need. I think promoting the services already available will be the first step to the future of HELP. Beyond that, I am going to expand on these services after careful consideration of what the student body needs. Through surveys and communication I will learn what HELP needs to improve on and what students want to see happen. I feel that keeping links with external organisations as well as maintaining a healthy relationship with the Student Advisory Service will help achieve these needs.

How do you plan on engaging with studetns on welfare issues?

DUSA is a representation of students and as such I will enforce better interaction between the two bodies. I feel it is necessary to communicate with the student body on welfare issues and as such I intend to enforce an effective open door policy and invite students to talk to me about their concerns regarding welfare. I will also make it clear that they are welcome to discuss such matters with any member of the executive should they wish to. Along with the VPSC I will ensure that this service is available and acknowledged amongst the student body. I will ensure that enough signposts are displayed through the website, the Magdalen and across campus

so that students can identify where the help is available. As well as this, I feel it is important to carry out an assessment early on in the academic year of what types of things students are looking for from DUSA in terms of welfare. I will then use these assessments to work out what aspects need to be improved and how best to develop on those areas.

What do you understand to be the principal duties of a trustee?

The Association is first and foremost a representation of the student body within the university and the local community.

As such my principal role would be to the care and development of the Association with the aspiration to see it grow and mature in a forward direction. A trustee should endeavour to see the objectives of the charity fulfilled in a suitable way. It is imperative that trustees act in accordance with the constitution and bylaws of the Association at all times and ensure their actions are all taken with the greatest of respect and care to the Association and in a manner which is befitting to the office they hold.

---End of Campaign Material---

DEPUTY PRESIDENT Vice President of Campaigns Candidate (Uncontested)

ItemNumber: Number:00002156456132 00002156456132 Item MyEday Eday My

OnlineVote Vote2008 2008 Online

Vote Anna >

Name:

Anna Osei

Year:

3rd

Course:

Biomedical Science

End Time:

(21-Mar-08 19:00:00 GMT)

Post to:

Dundee University Campus

Item Location:

D.U.S.A

Quantity:

1 Watch This Item

View larger image What is your opinion on the types of campaigns DUSA should be running?

As Vice president of Campaigns, I would be encouraging students involvement in extra-curricular activities whether they are Society related or something new that they are passionate about. I believe that the Students association should not just be a building where one goes for a drink, but that the use of the facilities is well utilised. Booking venues such as Mono, or floor five should be made easier in order to have larger scale publicity for events. Also I believe that increased interaction with students should be implemented. Many people walk past the Executive offices on floor 4 without realising that the people in the offices are there to hear student’s opinions, concerns and suggestions. On a less direct and obvious way, I think that there should be more space allocated to put up information around the students union.

There is plenty of wall space, and some of it should get used for what students can do in their spare time.

What organisational skills and personal characteristics do you feel you can bring to the role?

As a member of the PR and Fresher’s team, I believe I have the right personal attributes required of this position. Campaigns are about getting people motivated without being overbearing. I believe a friendly attitude, and actual 1-1 or group interaction with students and society co-ordinators can better encourage participation in extracurricular activities. As a third year student,

My role as vice president of campaigns is to co-ordinate campaigns within DUSA and raise awareness of student issues, such as extracurricular activities, both inside and out of the university.

I have to stay organised with keeping on top of studies, having a social life, being involved in extra-curricular activities. This I have achieved, and I believe I can bring some of these skills to the job. I have been a class representative, for my subject for 3 consecutive years, in different module’s and I believe this shows my dedication to getting people’s views and my own views across to heads of staff and people who can initiate change.

As Vice President Campaigns how do you plan on engaging with the student body?

The two main methods of engaging the student body is direct and indirect. Direct methods could be as simple as going around halls, or having a chat with people within the Union, to get knowledge about what is going on with their society, or their knowledge of extra-curricular activities. I believe that general email addresses of all societies once set up is important. Getting an email from someone you don’t know, tends to get deleted. I believe having more allocated space for putting posters up without getting in the way of the universities normal advertising structure is important. Much space is given to Sports Union, and i feel it is time for other activities to have their say.

As a member of the Student Executive you will be a trustee of the Association, what do you understand to be the principle duties of a trustee?

As a trustee member, I will be a member

of the committee representation. I will have the option to voice the opinions of the students to the senior members of the Executive board. I will be involved in Executive decisions, that concern the student body. I believe this role includes me being an effective representation of students. I will also be entrusted with legal obligation to the University in this case the Union.

What are your three main policies for office?

The augmentation of a variety of new public awareness campaigns designed to heighten student’s awareness of ALL societies, events and affairs in order to show that there is something available for everyone at Dundee. This will allow some of the lesser known societies to have their say and show what they’ve got to offer, whilst getting students (old and new) involved in what’s going on around Campus.

Highlight the benefits of these to students, encouraging participation and emphasizing the benefits of this when they eventually (and unfortunately) have to leave for the ‘real’ world. We’ll show we’re willing to challenge the status quo, rethink the unthinkable, and believe we can always make good things better.

To increase contact opportunity between society co-ordinators and students, with the Executive, especially regarding publicity and campaigns, whether they are on or off campus.

---End of Campaign Material---

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DEPUTY PRESIDENT Honorary Secretary Candidate

ItemNumber: Number:00002156456132 00002156456132 Item My Eday

OnlineVote Vote2008 2008 Online

Name:

Rob Ryder-Richardson

Year:

4th

Course:

Applied Computing

End Time:

(21-Mar-08 19:00:00 GMT)

Post to:

Dundee University Campus

Item Location:

D.U.S.A

Quantity:

1

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To represent the whole student body.

To chair the Disciplinary Committee to ensure our members and guest safety.

To convene and co-ordinate SRC, Executive and General meetings.

To be Master of Ceremonies at DUSA events.

Disciplinary: As Chair of the Disciplinary Committee, how would you ensure that you remained objective and consistent throughout all cases over the course of the year?

What are your three main policies for office?

I would ensure the above by maintaining an independent stance during the hearing. I would also ensure that the committee are trained and brief before every hearing to ensure a consistent approach.

Due to the forth coming changes in Licensing Laws, DUSA will be allowed to admit members of the public for up to 56 days of the year. Whilst this can benefit DUSA financially, I would like to ensure the position of Honorary Secretary uses their power to ultimately guarantee our members’ best interests.

Meetings: As Honorary Secretary one of your primary responsibilities is the coordination of and documenting of Council, General and Executive meetings. What would you do to make these meetings more efficient and better publicised?

I would ensure efficiency by taking the minutes in an electronic format directly, thus saving time from having to type them at a later date.

To publicise the events, I would effectively use www.dusa. co.uk, posters around DUSA and also get the Schools involved in promotion.

Trustee Status: As a member of the Student Executive you will be a trustee of the Association, what do you understand to be the principle duties of a trustee?

Being a trustee I would be charged with guaranteeing the status and funds of the Association and sitting on the Board of Trustees to make important decisions regarding the direction of the Association.

Further develop the Disciplinary Committee to ensure that it is fair, democratic and ensures the safety of our members and their guests.

Promote the needs of the whole student body through the development of the Student Representative Council (SRC) including, but not limited to, promoting the members, the campaigns and the meetings

---End of Campaign Material---

DEPUTY PRESIDENT Honorary Secretary Candidate

ItemNumber: Number:00002156456132 00002156456132 Item MyEday Eday My

OnlineVote Vote2008 2008 Online

Name:

Andrew MacQueen

Year:

1st

Course:

Politics and History

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(21-Mar-08 19:00:00 GMT)

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Dundee University Campus

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The Honorary Secretary’s duties include the taking of minutes for meetings openly and honestly, chairing and convening the student disciplinary committee fairly and representatively and also been the master of ceremonies for all DUSA events.

Disciplinary: As Chair of the Disciplinary Committee, how would you ensure that you remained objective and consistent throughout all cases over the course of the year?

As chairman of the disciplinary committee I will make sure that cases are relevant and individual. I will make sure that all cases are dealt in a sensitive, quick and concise manner in the best interests of the person(s) involved. I will make sure all documentation is processed as quickly and decisively to the Vice Principles office for monitoring purposes. I will of course respond to the case presented in light of the facts presented and reflect the evidence on previous cases presented.

Meetings: As Honorary Secretary one of your primary responsibilities is the coordination of and documenting of Council, General and Executive meetings. What would you do to make these meetings more efficient and better publicised?

With previous experience in participation in meetings, I therefore, understand that it is important that meetings are of public knowledge to the electorate. Thus, I would like to see mass emails sent to all students in regards to up-coming meetings and of their topics, emphasising there input. I also feel it is important as elected representative that we collate relevant information through consultations with students on issues which affect them.

Trustee Status: As a member of the Student Executive you will be a trustee of the Association, what do you understand to be the principle duties of a trustee?

As a Trustee it will be my duty to conduct myself as an Executive member and as an individual in the best interests of DUSA and those I represent. Other duties that I will partake in are the likes of been a signatory of the association’s accounts and taking part in events that occur throughout the university. It is important to remember as an Executive member of DUSA, that I am accountable to my actions to other Executive members and those I represent.

I also hold a position which should be representative of student opinions at all times by keeping in touch with my fellow students.

What are your three main policies?

To bridge the gap between ordinary students and Executive members of DUSA To run the business of DUSA as effectively and efficiently as possible More choices, and more funding for these choices and funding for the old ones.

---End of Campaign Material---

132

o t f l e s r u o y g in r If you can b . .. n io n U r u o y t u o b a t ! h S a Give t a s e t a id d n a c r u o y r o f e n i l n Vote O MyDundee on

21st March

Brucie Bonus Time What do points make? ......Prizes!

A Loyalty Card update from VPS Adam Patrick Congratulations on a great year of sport and let me take this opportunity to specifically congratulate those of you who represented Dundee in B.U.S.A and also those of you who had teams promoted this year. Well done!

In terms of loyalty, there has been a good response to the publicity and most clubs have been using their cards with more regularity. Now we are more able to gauge card usage and provide D.U.S.A with a more accurate reading of the most loyal clubs who spend, spend, spend! This in turn allows us to calculate the amount of funding we can indulge on each club. I have e-mailed every club with a run down of how

much each club has spent and how much entitlement will be paid out from the loyalty scheme. I believe the best thing about the loyalty cards is the transparency and fairness the scheme provides. Every club has the potential to receive funding from the Union.

In November I promised to pay out ÂŁ2,500 to sports clubs and now in addition to this, I am prepared to promise an extra ÂŁ3,000 to be allocated to clubs for the benefit of their members. This means that all the time you have been using your loyalty cards is now finally paying off.

If you look at the table below, you will see

total points 1st payment points

Rugby Mens

4,902

Boat Club

3,247

Hockey Mens

2,507

Sailing

2,516

Football Mens

1,714

Archery Club Badminton Club

1,028 1,064

Hockey Womens

894

Canoe Club

711

Football Womens

891

Volleyball

760

Squash

691

Freefall

877

Netball

904

Athletics Club

710

Sub Aqua

467

Ultimate Frisbee

544

Hurling/Shinty

558

Swimming/Water Polo

715

Ski

538

Surf Sports

809

Gaelic Football

447

Trampoline

560

Mens Basketball

693

Fencing Club

493

Boxing Club

400

Sports Union

364

Womens Basketball

523

Rugby Womens

320

Golf

332

Roller Hockey

329

Rucksack

248

Lacrosse

178

Tennis

211

Ju Jitsu

253

Cricket Club

74

Karate

62

Triathalon/Mnt Bike

88

Equestrian Club Taekwondo

108 42

32,772

2,114 1,157 763 980 1,024 437 427 331 178 389 266 237 419 466 321 93 222 222 394 246 511 150 288 421 238 169 0 313 142 122 150 116 47 101 148 51 23 60 86 31 13,853

2nd payment points

2,788 2,090 1,744 1,536 690 591 637 563 533 502 494 454 458 438 389 374 322 336 321 292 298 297 272 272 255 231 364 210 178 210 179 132 131 110 105 23 39 28 22 11

18,919

exactly how much every club has earned and the points that have been racked up.

Shocking to think that you could spend so much in one year eh?

A special congratulation has to go to all the clubs who have increased their usage significantly since November. These clubs have seen that there are huge amounts of cash to be made from this scheme and they have been duly rewarded for their ingenuity.

Finally, I will be making a final payment at the start of next month so keep using your loyalty cards and keep urging your club members to do the same!

total spend

1st payment

2nd Payment

5,319.10 3,481.71 2,720.53 2,747.95 1,886.89 1,166.42 1,158.80 994.65 793.84 1,021.41 855.67 762.15 940.52 1,003.61 763.35 523.94 635.72 581.98 808.91 632.55 914.79 508.55 641.96 773.46 556.91 455.33 432.89 570.69 361.02 329.82 352.75 287.96 192.86 251.92 284.56 184.30 73.17 100.48 121.60 55.31

377.18 206.43 136.13 174.85 182.70 77.97 76.18 59.06 31.76 69.40 47.46 42.29 74.76 83.14 57.27 16.59 39.61 39.61 70.30 43.89 91.17 26.76 51.38 75.11 42.46 30.15 0.00 55.84 25.34 21.77 26.76 20.70 8.39 18.02 26.41 9.10 4.10 10.71 15.34 5.53 2471.63

436.10 318.38 273.19 242.21 108.69 99.31 96.54 91.88 86.51 54.45 79.68 73.30 72.81 70.36 60.77 60.13 53.61 53.42 52.49 49.66 49.33 49.02 44.98 43.87 40.96 38.10 35.76 33.70 29.87 28.21 28.21 21.17 20.91 20.24 17.24 17.17 6.35 5.11 3.95 2.39 3000

Total payment to date

813.28 524.81 409.32 417.06 291.39 177.28 172.72 150.94 118.27 123.85 127.14 115.59 147.57 153.50 118.04 76.72 93.22 93.03 122.79 93.55 140.50 75.78 96.36 118.98 83.42 68.25 35.76 89.54 55.21 49.98 54.97 41.87 29.30 38.26 43.65 26.27 10.45 15.82 19.29 7.92

Sports Union Executive Election Results Out with the old, in with the new...

Anna Anderson: Sports Union President 2006-2008

Paul Blake: Sports Union President 2008-2009

Sports Union Executive 2008-2009

University of Dundee Sport’s Union

President: Paul Blake Vice President Sport: Richard Sawyer

Blues and Colours Ball

Vice President Events: Catriona Glen

27 March

Honorary Secretary: Zoe Tristram

Invercarse Hotel

Website Developer: Katie Barker Intramural Officer: Neil Tannock Minibus/Safety: Vacant

ÂŁ35 per ticket from Sports Union Office

Spend Less. Learn More

Seize the Discount.

Students at Dundee get up to 15% off at the Apple HE online store!

www.apple.com/uk/go/save 0800 039 1010

Any Questions?

Email your Campus Rep at aoc_dundee@mac.com