Felix Issue 0985, 1994

A mum, three kids, a rival lover and an elderly transvestite Happy Families? News Social Crossword Prize Presentation Clubs Saved? BY DECLAN CURRY AND LYNN BRAVEY Funding for social clubs and societies will be safeguarded under the Government's plans for reform of campus Student Unions, according to Conservative Party officials. The societies, which range from arts appreciation to science fiction, were facing a withdrawal of public sub- sidy under the original draft of the proposals published by the Education Secretary last July. But this week, the national chairman of Conservative Students, Tim Keavan, has confirmed that minis- ters will implement changes in the bill. These will save the societies from cash starvation, but put them under the direct financial control of universities. The winners of the FELiX 3D Crossword Competition were presented with their prizes last Monday Mr Keavan, in a radio interview, lunchtime in the FELiX office. From left to right: The mysterious SphinX (clue editor), David (collecting for said that social societies will contin- David Buckle who has since completed his PhD), Eleanor Corran (Overall Winner), Annie Matthewman ue to receive public funding for (with heard?!), Suzanne Lewin, Ian Tinegate, Trevor Addenbrooke and Penguin (grid designer). their activities, with this money Congratulations from the FELiX news team. coming directly from colleges. This is a change from the Government's previous position where these 'non- core' activities would be forbidden education minister] gave, that this is rently being discussed by the House matched by a similar rebellion in from receiving taxpayers' money. not a cost cutting exercise. Funding of Lords. They have become the the House of Commons, with the Mr Keavan, denying a Government for social societies will absolutely, subject of a widespread revolt by former Higher Education minister, U-turn, said that these societies categorically not be cut. This is not Peers, who are alarmed at what they Robert Jackson MP, leading the would now operate under the finan- my assurance - I have heard it see as new powers given to the opposition to the act. cial control of universities, "free of directly and publicly from the min- Education Secretary by the act. Mr Keavan confirmed that the union influence". It is understood, isters concerned." In a mutiny of unprecedented Government was "consulting with however, that political and possibly Mr Keavan, who will also be scale, Lords from all parties have Peers who say they have doubts", religious societies will remain interviewed by BBCl's 'On the spoken out harshly against the bill, adding that the Government wants banned from receiving public fund- Record' this Sunday, denied that the and Opposition Peers are predicting the best bill for students. ing. Government's plans were striking at a Government defeat - despite a Meanwhile, the Education "There is a fundamental misun- the heart of students' social lives. built-in Conservative majority in Secretary, John Patten, has been the derstanding of what the bill is going "It is incredible when you hear the the Lords. target of death threats from hard left to do. It will change what the stu- NUS [National Union of Students] Lord Russell, Social Security organisations. Socialist Worker dent union runs. The union will saying that, without them, students spokesman for the Liberal Student Societies in Oxford are have no control. What we are doing won't be drinking in the bar or hav- Democrats and professor of history reported to have told Mr Patten that is taking the money out of political ing fun playing sports or going to at King's College London, told IC he would leave a recent meeting "in hands and giving it directly to the the theatre. It is incredible arro- Radio that the act was "one educa- a little black hearse". societies," Mr Keavan told IC gance for the NUS to say that all tion bill too many". He added that This follows an event last year, Radio. student life revolves around them. the Government was planning a after which Mr Patten complained Mr Keavan was unable to say It's absolute rubbish and when you range of concessions to placate of his constituency surgery being where this public money would look at the bill you will realise that opponents. mobbed by "thugs" (Felix 983). He come from, but implied that it funding is not going to be cut and He also said that the bill could condemned the latest incident as an would be part of the "block grant" more money will be spent on real be challenged in the European attempt to prevent free speech. which each university already student services and no money will courts. His colleague, barrister Lord In another development, it has receives for its union. He angrily be spent on silly little political Lester, has already been reported as been announced that the renewal of denied claims that the proposals hacks," he said. The NUS president, saying that the bill would infringe Mr Patten's fellowship of Hertford were part of a money-saving exer- Lorna Fitzsimons, declined to com- the European Declaration on College, Oxford, will be discussed cise. "I will give you my assurance ment when asked. Human Rights. at a meeting next month. now, as Tim Boswell [the higher The proposed reforms are cur- Any revolt in the Lords may be This month's UGM is today in the Ents Lounge at 1pm News Union Minibus Saga Tube BY MICHAEL INGRAM The registration number of the owners of the van failed to register vehicle corresponded to that of a their purchase with the authorities, Penalties After police investigations, it has Union minibus that had been so officials could only trace it to the become clear that a vehicle invol- involved in an accident last summer Union. BY MICHAEL INGRAM ved in a 'hit and run' incident over {Felix 974). The minibus had been The damage to the minibus the Christmas holiday did not written off and so its ownership had caused by the accident over the London Underground is planning to belong to Imperial College Union reverted to the insurers. summer was extensive. It is said introduce Penalty Fares of £10 in (ICU). The insurance company sold the that the only part left undamaged order to combat fare-dodging. The Police in Kent, called to the remains of the van to a salvage mer- was the footplate at the back. It company has estimated that it loses scene of the incident, reported it to chant. According to Kent CID, it seems most probable that the inci- up to £30 million a year to the the Union when their records was then sold at auction to a buyer dent involved another vehicle using cheats. showed that the vehicle was found who gave false details. the registration plates of the writ- If approved by the Government, to be registered to ICU {Felix 985). Unfortunately, these subsequent ten-off minibus. the penalties would come into effect from 3rd April 1994. They represent the latest step in London Underground's campaign to make sure everyone travelling on the sys- St. Mary's Retirement tem is carrying a valid ticket. The proposed measures also A formal apology has been given to printed. Mr Lloyd Davies said that ial proposals for reform of Student include modernisation of ticket Brian Lloyd Davies by the Felix last week's article was "such a trav- Unions contained in the new machines. In future, the machines News Team. esty of the truth" that he felt forced Education Bill." will be able to give out change In a story last week we incor- to write the letter to "put the record As copies of the speech were more often and will accept higher rectly stated that Mr Lloyd Davies straight". unavailable at the time, the article denomination notes. had resigned from his post as the In his farewell speech he includ- was based almost entirely upon Nick Agnew, the man responsi- Secretary to the Delegacy at St ed criticism of the 'administration', informal interviews with members ble for introducing the scheme, Mary's Hospital Medical School. referring to the "second rate of College staff. commented: "We have to ask why He had in fact retired. Government" and not the College The reporter responsible honest people should subsidise In a letter to Felix, Mr Lloyd as reported. Mr Lloyd Davies com- expressed regret that the facts of the those who deliberately...cheat the Davies outlined the main points of mented "I mentioned in particular story were not checked. system." his speech which we had incorrectly the Government's petty and censor- He Swallows Everyday Objects... The Regurgitator and Brings Them Back!! Fri 4th Feb Tickets: £3 (advance) £3.50 (on the door) £1 (for disco after the show 'til 2am) available from the Union Office, numbers limited. plus atmosphere |j^Lj) * Right of Admission Reserved * Details Subject to Change Without Notification * 4 Feature No Need for Martyrs in the Master Class There is life after your first degree - but problems too, says Don Adlington, Imperial College Student Counsellor in this, his second welfare article. Advanced course students, from a student coun- living expenses for a full twelve months. what they wanted when they enrolled and that sellor's perspective, are seen as a rather special Occasionally students take on these extra debts they will be successful in it. It is, I think, normal population. Special in the sense that they are before they have had the opportunity of clearing to feel a certain reticence about 'asking for more immediately at risk when things go wrong debts incurred while they were undergraduates.

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