Features p16
News p5 University Press adopts a giant panda cub. Rejoicing ensues.
My Degree p14 Straight from the horse’s mouth: an architect prepares for Saturday’s revels
We talk to some overactive freshers about their experiences
FRIDAY 19TH NOVEMBER 2010
THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER SINCE 1947
ISSUE NO 730 | VARSITY.CO.UK
Cambridge left mobilises against cuts
NOAH B. KATZ
Student assaulted near Grange Road area ABTIN SADEGHI
Businesses and banks to be targeted as student activists claim “it is just the beginning” TRISTAN DUNN & NATASHA PESARAN
Following national protests last week, the Cambridge left are planning further action to voice their anger at government proposals. Cambridge Defend Education, a student organisation which was started in October to fight funding cuts and fee increases, have decided to hold a teach-in on Sunday to raise awareness, to be followed by a demonstration in Cambridge city centre next Wednesday, which will coincide with a walk-out of sixth-form students from the Cambridge area. A member of Cambridge Defend Education told Varsity, “A lot of people were saying at the time, and this was repeated by ministers and others, that the protest last week was just the beginning. But that’s the reality. We’re not done yet. “Since the protest last week,
things are really heating up. We have had a lot of new faces at meetings and new names added to our email list. We’re hoping the teach-in and demonstration next week will build interest and new involvement. We’re doing everything we can to get the word out.” A demonstration will take place next Wednesday, starting outside Great St Mary’s at noon. The group will march through Cambridge targeting businesses and institutions that are in some way linked to the cuts. In particular, banks and the phone company, Vodafone, which has come under charges of tax evasion, have been singled out. A member from the group told Varsity, “Once everyone is assembled we will march through Cambridge. It won’t just be a ramble, there will be people leading the parade, with
flags and music. But we will stop and protest outside every locale which has a stake in what’s going on. “After the march, we will see what the vibe is like. I don’t know what will happen. If people want to continue protesting, we will go with it.” Sixth-form students from around Cambridge will stage a walk-out on the same day and join the protest. Cambridge Defend Education will also hold a “teach-in to fight to fees and cuts” at King’s and Clare, which includes a number of talks, discussions and workshops. The title of one panel discussion had to be changed after King’s College expressed anxiety about its radical overtones. The panel, which was originally entitled ‘Direct Action Workshop’, was renamed ‘Sharing Stories of Activism’ at the College’s behest. According to a spokesperson, the
panel will consist of an “academic training session in how to go about doing direct action in a way that has political impact but does not cause any damage to persons or property.” Speakers include the socialist writer Richard Seymour, CUSU President Rahul Manisgani, and professors from the University of Cambridge and King’s College ,London. Cambridge Defend Education’s promotional material says they hope the event will “shake up the debate on education funding, train up to resist cuts, fees and outsourcing” and “build a movement to defend education.” The group estimates that between 200 and 300 students will attend. All members of the campaign who commented wished to remain anonymous as an expression of the group’s democratic collectivist policy.
Corpus JCR leaves CUSU
Dean criticises press treatment
A royal connection for Explore careers at the News Interview: Sir Cambridge? European Union Martin Gilbert
In an overwhelming 71% vote, Corpus Christi JCR has decided to disaffiliate from CUSU. In the wake of the decision, Varsity considers the value that CUSU provides and the impact the disaffiliation would have on ❯❯p3 CUSU’s budget.
Dr Priyamvada Gopal, Dean of Churchill College, has criticised sensationalistic coverage of the College in national and international press, after Freedom of Information requests were used to obtain student disciplinary reports for the ❯❯p4 last five years.
Cambridge residents are excited to learn that newly engaged couple Prince William and Kate Middleton are likely to take the titles Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, according to bookies. The Palace has so far remained tight-lipped ❯❯p7 on the issue.
The European Union (EU) is in the market for talented graduates looking to build careers as EU civil servants. Varsity spoke to David Lidington, the Europe Minister, about the opportunities available and the skills graduates need to be successful. ❯❯p6
A female Wolfson student was assaulted at around midnight on Tuesday at the junction of Sidgwick Avenue and Grange Road. The attacker was described as a dark-haired male, wearing a leather jacket. Based on the description given, it has been suggested that the same attacker may have assaulted a Robinson student last Thursday morning on Adams Road. The Senior Tutor at Wolfson College, Dr Jane McLarty said that “neither student was hurt and nothing was stolen” but they “were both very upsetting incidents for the women concerned.” According to a Wolfson College student said that “Cambridge was a very safe city overall, but some areas feel really deserted, particularly at night. “The recent assaults have made me much more wary and vigilant whilst coming home from a night out,” she said. Following the incident, many colleges have sent precautionary emails to their students, urging them to be careful when venturing out late at night. Dr McLarty advised students to take a “common sense approach” by “keeping to well-lit areas when coming home at night” and trying to “travel with companions if going to and fro, late at night in the Grange Road area.” The assault comes weeks after Varsity conducted an investigation into street safety. The investigation revealed Grange Road as being a higher-risk area for student assaults, with two female students from Homerton being assaulted earlier in the year.
Renowned historian and official biographer of Winston Churchill, Sir Martin Gilbert has written over 80 books. Varsity sat down with him to discuss the ways in which colliding historical narratives have contributed to the Middle East conflict. ❯❯p8
The Question p12 Corpus disaffiliation: Is CUSU useful? 46 > 9 771758 444002