NUS TRAVEL

iThe NUS Travel office A/ill not be open until May 10th due to staff illness. The nearest bureau is at /ictoria Station.

FOUNDED IN 1949 NEWSPAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE UNION

No. 417 Friday 30th April, 1976 FREE! WP on sport facilities Rapist A WORKING PARTY has been set up to consider what additional sports facilities are required over the next five years, and where they might be provided. The Working Party is to be chaired by Dr. B. White and it was set up at the request of the Rector. strikes The other members of the Working Party are Mr. Peter Teague, ICU President; Mr. John Thornback, Chairman ACC; Mr. D.W. Clark, Estate Secretary; Mr. F. Hollinghead and Mr. J.R. Davidson, the College Secretary. again All members of the College are invited to comment on the existing sports and athletics A SECOND assault on a facilities for students and girl in the ladies toilet of staff, and offer suggestions the Union took place during for improvements or additions. the Easter recess. This Comments should be sent to attack follows the rape of Mr. John Davidson Room 535. Sherfield Bdg.. an IC girl student there Photo fit of the first assailant. not later than Monday, 10thMay. last November. The attack occurred at about 10 pm on Monday 8th April. A man, bearing a description similar to that of the November Student Spongers assailant, had followed the girl into the toilet where he STUDENTS CLAIMING Social It described as "most nal Secretary, said yesterday; assaulted her. However, when Security benefits have been despicable" the reason, "I believe that anyone who is the girl began screaming, he attacked by a Scottish student "If I took a job I would be supposed to serve the interests ran off. newspaper. depriving someone else of the of students could do that better Search made The attackcame from Omega, right to work and consequently than by attacking students People present in the Union the newspaper of Heriot—Watt worsening the unemployment who are victims of the present Bar at the time made a search University, Edinburgh. situation". It would cost the crisis, along with the vast of the immediate vicinity soon According to an editorial pub- nation nearly £21 million if majority of working people in afterwards but found nothing. lished in its latest issue, everystudent received only the this country. It was reported that, at about 'betweenseventy and eighty per minimumentitlementduring the the same time, a motorcycle centof those students (claiming Easter vacation alone. was heard leaving within close benefit) will have just proximity of the Union Building An NUS spokesman,however, hammered one more nail into disagreed with the points made the coffin of the Nation'. IC scarf by Omega. The unemployment Excuses usually given for level had hit students badly The attacker is described as a negro type, about 5'9" not finding a vacation job and the situation was so bad tall, with fairly short dark (especially during Christmas that traditional employers,such brown hair. He was wearing and Easter) were dismissed as as the big stores and hte GPO a light raincoat and blue jeans. feeble and inadequate."Students had offered very few jobs He is said to be of medium should be resourceful enough during the Christmas vacation. build with pointed high cheek to find sufficient time for their The NUS see social security bones with a smallish flat nose. academic work even if they are He was also wearing an IC as a safety net for those on low working forty hours a week", scarf. pay and fixed incomes. The the paper said. It was rarely spokesman also pointed out that Similarity difficult, the paper claims, for according to their survey, 57% The police have not made students to find work as say of students on mandatory awards any definite statement about barmen or petrol pump atten- did not receive the full parental similarity in descriptions, but dants if they tried. contribution to their grant. Half the College Security Officer, Claiming benefit, the paper the student population did not MISS JULIA ROSS, above, Mr. Dawson, said that the is the new President of says, "is an act of apathy and receive the vacation element, similarity in the descriptions L'Institute Francais du £3.80 per week for those on a pointed to a strong possibility selfishness which jeopardises Royaune—Uni Secretarial of the attacks having been not only their own future but full grant, as a result. College Students' Union, committed by the same man. that of the entire nation'.' Ms Sue Slipman, NUS Natio- popularly known as IF. 2 MUX

FELIX Photographic INVITATION Competition The competition is open to all staff and students of Imperial College, except members of the FELIX staff. This year all entries must be B&W or Colour prints. There will be nine categories:

B&W COLOUR Portrait Portrait Landscape Landscape Natural History Natural History Photojournalism General General 1. Prints must possess a surface area greater than48.su, inches. 2. Prints may be mounted or unmounted. Only unmounted prints may be reproduced. 3. FELIX reserves the right to reproduce any entries. Only prints made on glossy paper may be reproduced. 4. If there are insufficient entries for any of the categories prints entered for those categories wHl be judged under the General section. 5. Entries should have the name, department and year of the photographer attached to each print. Lady F'owers, assisted by members of the IC Wives Club, 6. There is an entrance fee of lOp per competitor. welcomes students to a free BEER 'N' BANGERS nosh-up All fees will be added to the prize money. at 170 Queen's Gate, on Thurs. 6th May . from 5.30-7.00pm 7. Last date for entry is 2.00pm on Friday 21st May. Names, please, to Jen. Union uiiice. by not later than 8. There will be cash prizes. Wednesday, 5th May lunchtime. ALL WELCOME! FREE! 9. The judges decision will be final. 10. Prints should be delivered to the FELIX office.

Ilopl College of Science Union I.C SUNDAY SESSIONS: ANNUAL DINNER

with guest speaker

RAYMOND BAXTER

of 'Tomorrow's World'

Friday 7th May, 7.00 for 7.30pm Sherfield Building GALA NIGHT Tickets: £2.50 from Social Reps or RCSU Office. Dress: Lounge suit or equivalent. OF JAZZ MOPSOC A lecture by

PROF. T.W.B. KIBBLE FELIX Published by the Editor on 3 GREAT JAZZ BANDS behalf of I.C.Union Publication PHYSICS OF ENERGY- Board. Printed Off-set Litho on " the premises, THE ENTROPY CRISIS Felix Office.PrinceConsort Rd, 1.15pm Tues 4th May London SW7 2BB. Sunday 2nd May. 7p.m. Physics LT2 Tel. 01 589 5111 ext 1048,1042

FOLK EVENING ©FELIX, 1*976 Guest Musicians Welcome. in Southwell House (Evelyn Editor P.Ekpenyong. Many thanks to Phil Dean, Gardens) Pnvo F Oira 11 Pnvp -Hopkins WED 5th MAY at 8.00 pm Dave Knights, John McCloskey, Lower Union Lounge Bar. Uuncuii Susi, ieiiy Ae Bar facilities provided. and extra special thanks to Everyone welcome, Ian for putting up with us all, and Gill, who did all the work especially singers. before she went away. Admission Free.

PROfr BREMSSTRAHLUNG Quark' Have you seen rny baa-Lightniri3 anywhere0 j\ Above; Hilary Greenaway Below; Fiona Foley Rebecca Abbott Olivia Lawson-Tancred

wins with

CLOTHES designed by students at RCA's School of Fashion Design were paraded in a fashion show held in the Rector's flat just before the end of last term. The proceeds were donated to the Day Nursery. Four female students from IC- Olivia Lawson-Tancred, Rebecca Abbott, Fiona Foley and Hilary Greenaway-took part in the show organised by IC Wives Club. Heather Boxer, sister-in-law to Dr. Schroter of the Physiological Flow Unit, also took part. Make up was done by the RCA students.

Photographs by Neville Miles 4 MUX

Press badges were issued, no credentials were ever checked Obviously an unsatisfactory state of affairs if we are to Closed sessions and be allowed to view the deepest and darkest secrets of the Union. the student press FOLLOWING THE decision, taken in the first session of The Tory challenge conference, that Finance Committee Report on NUS Services (Travel, Marketing and Endsleigh) should not be held in closed session, a constitutional amendment allowing THE ANTICIPATED, and much publicised, Tory challenge Student Press into closed sessions was carried over- of the Federation of Conservative Students (FCS) seemed to whelmingly. The opposition to this move was, not unjustifiably fizzle out immediately after the Presidential Election, when due to inaccurate reports of the NUS Travel financial their candidate was beaten into third place.They, effectively, situation (in the main) which many Executive members and held the balance of power between the Broad Left (Labour others considered irresponsible. No doubt, since first hand Party and Communist Party alliance) and the more extreme information will be available in the future, the accuracy of left wing (the IMG, IS, etc.) with a transfer of about 85 votes such articles will improve. going consisiantl) to the Broad Left candidates. Their Some felt that the Student Press were a dispensible strength has risen, however, since the Scarborough luxury; delegates should report back to their SRC's /UGM's, Conference when they had just over a dozen delegates. and all the Student Press can do is cut the ground from This has been reflected by the fact that they now have under their feet. But, on the whole, it was realised that the one executive member, Steve Moon, and means that their Student Press has a valuable role to play in relaying, policies will have a platform at National level. Just how accurately, information that the Nationals would rather seriously the Broad Left are taking the FCS will be seen ignore or distort. Since our readership is higher than the when Mr Moon receives his specific responsiblities. attendances at UGM's, etc, we are obviously in a good Their success/failure at the next conference will position to bridge that "communication gap". depend to a great extent on the policies expounded by Mr It must be remembered, however, that the representatives Moon, it will also require the FCS to put forward some of the Student Press at conference are not elected; they are committed and experienced leaders. It is quite obvious that not delegates fallowing mandates. Nor must they, in any the Broad Left had been opposed to a Tory on the executive, way whatsoever, be allowed to interfere in the running of they could, by putting forward stronger candidates for the conference. They are, in the strictest sense, observers, but lower positions, have prevented it. Of course, if they had as such must be allowed to observe the proceedings in their no stronger candidates to provide the back-up, they couldn't entirity. prevent the FCS getting at least one seat if they had But the new ruling does mean that the current arrangements wanted to. The fact that David Willis was narrowly (by 7 for Student Press representatives are totally unacceptable; votes) defeated by the Broad Left candidate would indicate the security element at present is zero, and, although the latter being the case.

PRIZE CROSSWORD No. 33 17. A chain of 5 links gives The prize of £1 will be given he 31 author to the first correct solution 18. Rotating bread 7 drawn out of the Editor's 1 X 3 4- S L 19. Go away impolitely with 17 gives way Hat at noon next Wednesday 22. Gives back knowledge 5th May. The Editor's 24. Charged particle decision will be final. 25. Half of a kettle r 26. Sharif 27. Nock as in arrows ICU DIARY it 29. Subtract? 30. Is that? TO ALL OFFICIALS of r 31. The ultimate in aesthetics? ICU clubs and societies: 14- 32. Great score to smell maker If you have regular meetings or any special events already planned for the r 1976/77 session, why not 1 T Down publicise them in the ICU r Pocket Diary which is now 1. I flap eye, so get ball cure being prepared for next 22. and crushed fingers year. 2. Catch hawks nostrils In fact, ANY college 3. A computer firm member with information 5. Glass slab learner gives jury suitable for inclusion in a 04- it 6. AML diary for ICU members is 7. Of Faery author? welcome to submit it to the r 8. Naked house leader? Diary Editor, V 9. Unfledged hawk Publications Board, 10. ie. greens give one great ICU Office. 1 r activity 1 5. 7 down guess SOCIAL COLOURS 16. Imperative loop to IBM i 20. On top of (oh, what a give Anyone can nominate any L away!) 12. member of the College. 21. Involved in Beit Quading All nominations with (The appropriate letter was nicked from Union files to WRITTEN reasons to protect the guiIty) John Downs, IC Union Across 12. Call back 22. It's a gas. naturally, but Office by Monday 10th 13. Not quite insane, just upish May, 1976. I. Similar purpose to empty 23. Same as above 'Introduction' in text books 14. Drol 28. Thedefinitearticle(oh,what 8. See 31 across 1 5. An obscure uncle a give away') II. Musical short city 16. . Hidy-hole for noogaes 29. Dega MUX 5 Clarke and Slipman in, Lanning out Broad Left landslide Tory on Executive - first for 10 years

THE NEW EXECUTIVE of the has. been defeated in an election. Pete Ashbywas elected Deputy President NUS has 12 out of 15 members of the way made clear by Alistair Stewart's the Broad Left; two are Inter- retirement from student politics. national Socialists, and, for the TORY SPOKESMAN first time in ten years, a Tory has Trevor Phillips, Jez Lloyd, Penny Cooper and Dave Aaronovitch are the been elected. Vice-Presidents. Stephen Moon, the only successful FCS candidate, is FCS TRANSFER going to have a hard job on the The voting pattern at Llandudno was Executive; he is notonly the "spokesman" quite clear: the Broad Left could for the Tories, but is, in the eyes of command 300 votes, the Federation of many, the custodian of the Conservative Conservative Students about 90, and Principle. How well the FCS do in the the remainder went to the ultra-left next election will depend to a large groups. The FCS transferred consistently extent onttis performance. to the Broad Left, giving them the The full Executive for 1976-7 is necessary majority in all the top eight Charles Clarke (President), Pete positions on the Executive. Ashby (Deputy President), Sue Slipman Charles Clarke, last year's President, (National Secretary), Chris Morgan Hugh Lanning beat Hugh Lanning (retiring National (National Treasurer), Trevor Philips Treasurer) by the 80 or so votes though, was when Hugh Lanning (VP Areas), Jex Lloyd (VP Welfare), transferred from Mark Hapgood, the (Independant Socialist) was beaten by Penny Cooper (VP Education), Dave FCS candidate (who came third), and Chris Morgan in the election for National Aaronovitch (VP Services), Kay Copp- in the same way, Sue Slipman was Treasurer; Hugh commands quite a Brwon, Andy Durgan, Paul Perkins, re-elected to her post of National large personal vote, and it has been Paul Blomfield, Harry Dean, Stephen Secretary. Perhaps the greatest shock, four years since an incumbent officer Moon, and Graham Threlfall. CONFERENCE CONCISELY... STUDENT PRESS are to be allowed into closed OVERSEAS STUDENTS are not to be left on their sessions at future conferences. own, but we can't do it all for them. THE GRANTS CLAIM is now £1140 for all A CONSTITUTION WORKING PARTY has been students (£1250 in London), with no means test or ruled out by Conference. discriminatory awards. EEC AFFAIRS need more publicity in the CO's, NUS TRAVEL is on the road to recovery, with as does the whole of International work. a breakeven expected this year. SABBATICAL SALARIES are to be linked to the EDUCATION requires a new approach and deep current grants claim. analysis. FASCISM and RACISM have been denounced and its total opposition has been reaffirmed. Graduates face dole queue ONE IN EVERY seven students leaving 1980's, said Mr Clarke. political impotence." college this summer will "have no chance The Government policies which gave Continuing his attack on the Govern- of getting jobs before Christmas, and a rise to this situation and which repre- ment, Mr Clarke accused them of substantial part of those will stay on the sented a concerted economic strategy spreading, through conventional political dole queues for far longer", claimed were not being accepted lying down. life, cynicism among the membership of Charles Clarke, NUS President, in his The fight to change these policies, and the national union. Cynicism had become opening address to the conference. this economic strategy, was one to the political watchword, as the Labour which the whole of the student movement Government had become the government School students were, however, in an must be committed, Mr Clarke said, of the Establishment, he said. even worse position. "The question at stake is whether we "In the cuts which we are told are can change the course of society?" It was the duty of the NUS to break so necessary, the projected number of down this cynicism and to overcome the students in higher education has been In order to do this, said Mr Clarke, rejection of political life that existed cutback to 600,000", he said. the NUS "must put forward an alternative among many members of the Union. "All At the same time, the number of economic solution and win to its side students must recognise that the decisions school leavers was steadily increasing the student body. If we do not succeed of government matter to us all", Mr and this trend would continue into the in that we condemn ourselves to Clarke said. Bucharest delegation censured

CHARLES CLARKE, Alastair Stewart All three were censured and the Eighteen candidates put themselves and Trevor Phillips came in for heavy report of the meeting which included the forward for the three posts that were criticism over their conduct at the 13th offending communique rejected by the available. Of these, Mr Peter Ashby, European meeting of national unions of conference. Charles Clarke was also Deputy President elect (Broad Left), Mr students held in Bucharest last December. censured for not making available, before Andy Durgin, executive member The conference felt that all three had the conference began, the text of the (International Socialist) and Mr Tony acted inappropriately by not adequately communique as he had promised at the Fekete, Edinburgh University (Con- representing NUS policy on topics Universities Policy Conference. The servative) were elected. discussed at the meeting. motion of censure on Mr Clarke was The conference further gave vent to Delegates were also displeased moved by Mr Peter Teague, ICU its disapproval over the international with the signing of the final communique President. section of the Union's work by censuring issued at the end of the meeting. It was The section of the communique which Chris Morgan, Treasurer elect. Mr Morgan,! felt that the delegation had followed to angered delegates most dealt with was censured for not doing enough work much of a pro-Soviet line during the women. The communique stresses on the Southern Africa mandate. No meeting. "that due to continuance of a capitalist direction had been forthcoming from the order in many European countries, NUS Executive to COS to campaign on women remained totally oppressed and this issue it was said. were denied equal rights in education What was seen as a Broad Left ploy and many other fields of endeavour." to limit debate on the international work "Inadequate sex education, con- of the Union was defeated when the traception and abortion facilities means conference decided to extend time for the that much hardship and pain was caused debate well into the time alloted for to women in the capitalist countries. lunch. This came about when the guest Their position as sex objects in society speaker from the Chilean NUS, Mr was accentuated by these inadequacies", Alejandro Rojas, was allowed to speak the communique continued. for nearly 45 minutes — well over his The socialist countries, the alloted time — this taking the morning communique claimed, were way ahead session right up to lunch. of western European countries in establishing equal rights for women. However, it was noted by some delegates that in Romania, the host country, abortion was illegal. The conference rubbed salt into the wound by deciding to elect the next delegation from itself despite determined Charles Clarke (top) and Chris Morgan opposition from the Executive. NO CUTS" DEMAND IN POSSIBLY the most comprehensive attention. The Anderson Report of 16 of all policy motions passed at this years ago called for an end to the means conference, total opposition to all test, but there was still little progress forms of cuts in Public spending was in this area. It was claimed, that this reaffirmed. The Government's economic caused hardship to students whose policy, which is leading to a reduction parents cannot, or choose not to, pay in Social Services and Education their "contribution". It was also expenditure, was deplored and criticised stated that the main-rate grant claim throughout the nine page document has always taken precedence over the Pete Ashby dealing with "Grants and Cuts". other, equally important aspects of the In his speech, Mr Rojas praised the The case of 16—19 year olds, for campaign; the Press were criticised solidarity work of the NUS in support whom education in the form of day — for heightening this differential \w of the repressed Chilean students. release courses had been promised by ignoring the parts not considered "Every democratic achievement achieved the Government, was specifically newsworthy. All the same, the motion during Allende's government had been mentioned. Large cut-backs in FE's and says, "the main rate is abysmal . . . destroyed by the present fascist junta, Tech's are expected; and policy is anything less than the main rate is Mr Rojas said. He called for a day of now that we should press for compulsory totally unacceptable" — quite clearly a mass action on May 8th to protest against (and fully paid) day-release education request for a higher grant, of £1140, the imprisonment of students and at the for youths who left school at sixteen. with no deductions or exceptions. loss of university autonomy in Chile.

It was felt that on this, as other topics, we should liaise more closely with Trades Unions, in the belief that Conference comments cuts affect not just students but the whole of the community. Indeed, the Jackie Webber: "No conference, you Charles Clarke: "I do intend to be same view was expressed concerning can't suspend the constitution." rigid." (on interpretation of standing the rise in the pupil-teacher ratio. in Pete Ashley: "The pattern of Tories orders) most, if not all, schools; especially transfering their votes to Broad Left AI Stewart: "The ultra-left is to the since, at the same time, trained teachers candidates after the first ballot must be right of the Broad Left." are finding it impossible to get employ- seen as a recognition of the Broad Al Stewart: "I have developed a taste ment as such, and the training colleges Left's remarkable competence." for the jugular veins of Trots." themselves are reducing their intake. Elections Committee: "There were so Al Stewart: The SRP are not a political Conference resolved that the Government many spoilt papers, Mr Chairman, that group: they are an insult to all other must "come to terms with the demand the candidate "Rubbish" nearly won groups on the floor of conference." and need for Education." this election." Charles Clarke: "I really must apologise Whilst no single point in the grants (VP Welfare) for my voice.'' campaign was prioritized (many felt that Stewart Mcintosh: "Am I correct in my S Mcintosh: "Sir, I think you are trying they should be); the abolition of the assessment of your parts?" (to delegate to drill a hole into a piece of wood that means test and the discontinuation of requesting a vote to be taken in said nobody has got." discretionary awards received most manner) MUX 7 NUS Services report, Easter 1976 NUS Travel-the hardest road back

NUS TRAVEL will break even this Fair play year, and is in a good position to recoup NUS Marketing- . its £'4 million deficit over the next four NUSTS has an ever increasing share years. This was the message from Mr. of the student market, and Mr. Nayldr, Mike Naylor, Managing Director of NUS is confident that, given fair play, this beer's the latest Travel Services Ltd, at this year's summer will realise a profit of over Llandudno Conference. £280,000 - which, allowing £200,000 to In a briefing, he explained that the cover the winter "slump", will make up thing the on-going deficit of i>A million figure of £250,000 was grossly inflated NUS Marketing, set up in January, is within four years if continued. by the way in which the accounting branching out into the field of beer: it procedure had been altered —the January/ On the subject of fair play, he has arranged with the Yorkshire brewery December financial year was changed to pointed out that some foreign students' Theakston, to supply their beers to May/May — to make reports to Conference travel services are operating (quite Union Bars throughout the country. We more accurate and up to date. This unethically, in his opinion) within the were given a chance to sample the itself was loss making, due to ineffiencies, UK, selling (and getting commission on) wares at the NUS Services Disco, mistakes, and the fact that a large outlay some of NUSTS's own flights. He asked where the Old Peculier (Theakston's was required to move headquarters all students to notice that these Strong Ale) flowed freely: it is indeed a from London to Cheltenham Spa. practices were going on and called on brew worth sampling, and I look forward all students to boycott these companies. to the possibility of having it in our SATA flight records Other competitors (specifically, Union. Transalpine), he said, were "no longer out by £90,000 They also have wine, T-shirts, so much cheaper than ourselves". In a But the worst loss, he pointed out, calculators, and a whole store of other recent check, of the Easter brochure, was the discrepancy amounting to some lines — all of which are selling well NUSTS were cheaper on some routes by £90,000 between their record of flight and proving the need for the companies up to 20%.' This is due to the bookings and those held by SATA, the existence. international student flight administrators. international cooperation of some Since this was brought to light, fort- European Students' Travel Services in nightly checks have been made, and all bulk-buying train space, and could Endsleigh-6-month the staff handling the TELEX booking bring prices even lower if demand was equipment have been retrained and sufficient. tested. This has brought the previous policy hit with error rate of 3% (costing about £12,000 "Set Off" agreement last year) .down to less than 0.6% for January and February of this year, Mr. Naylor also explained the "Set Off" student agreement with the bank; it does not Endsleigh Insurance's new 6-month NUSTS streamlined mean that the bank can confiscate funds policy, underwritten by the Federation In fact, the whole company has been of the National Union. What it does Mutual Insurance Limited, may not be cut back and trimmed until only the mean is that, in the event of any of the the cheapest on the market, but the essentials remain 40 of the previous NUS Services going bankrupt, and at the company feels that the ease with which 60 flights and train routes have been same time having an overdraft at the the system operates will in time bring dropped, leaving just the most popular bank, the bank has the right to take the the overheads, and hence the premiums, lines still running, and as a result, a amount of that overdraft from any of the down to a much lower level. They say possible further £80,000 loss has been other accounts in credit: this would then that the reduced paperwork involved, into a breakdown situation for this be reclaimed from the receiver put in the simplicity of the pricing system, year. Unfortunately, the cutbacks meant charge of the case. In return, for the and the competitiveness of the scheme that 8 people were no longer employable; purposes of calculating overdraft are attracting 600 students a week. the redundancies caused an angry flare- interest charges, the accounts are Last year's loss (the first recorded for up at Conference, but, on the whole, it simply treated as one, and so the many years) does not appear to be was realised that the choice was of amount paid is considerably less, as repeating this year: the figures so far some redundancies or more redundancies most of the accounts are in credit for indicate that there will be a trading and possible bankruptcy.' the period when NUSTS is in overdraft. profit of some £70,000. Solidarity with overseas students A RESOLUTION condeming the attacks students had been deprived of the right on overseas students as rascist and to education in their own countries, he "calculated to divide and weaken the said. "Without the support of British whole student body in its opposition to students, overseas students cannot the educational cutbacks" was over- campaign effectively against the fees whelmingly carried with only two votes increase and victimisation they faced." against. These attacks, the resolution Overseas students were not the vanguard said, were "only a percursor to attacks of the anti-discrimination fight — the on the entire student body." fight had to be a "shoulder to shoulder" The resolution also rejected the one with British students, he concluded. "myths and lies spread about overseas A Trot amendment attacking the NUS students", in the press. It noted the executive for not showing any initiative defeat of the ILEA proposal to cut back on the issue of overseas students and the number of overseas students in ILEA describing NUS publicity on the plight colleges by 60% and the agreement of overseas students as "offensive and signed by LSO (London Student passive" was decisively defeated. Organisation) and the Inner London The amendment that brought the Trevor Phillips Division of NATHE (National Association conference to the boil, however, was of Teachers in Higher Education) that table by TACT, the College of Mr Nicholas Fairbairn, moving the opposing these and any such proposals. Commerce and Technology in Hull. The amendment, said that the high standard The resolution itself was moved by TACT speakers were consistently of education in this country was a Mr A Tuker, a Turkish student at the heckled and had considerable difficulty marketable commodity which had been City University. By the implementation in putting across their case for British of imperialist policies overseas, first. Continued on page 8 Sabbatical salaries slashed

FULL TIME OFFICERS (FTO's) of the utive and report on the alternatives 3 to 1. NUS executive are to have their salaries involved." The second amendment, backed by linked to the grant claim. They will now Mr. Peter Teague, ICU President, the ultra left, supported the main resolu- receive a net salary of 52/30ths of what supporting the amendment,said that a tion in rejecting direct elections. Instead the Union considers is a fair grant. look at the representative nature of NUS it called for the election by STV of the Officers who previously received £3,200 was required. 'I hope we won't see Mr. bottom eleven members of the NUS exec. plus £100 for each re-election will now Stewart speaking on this motion and make The amendment was thrown out by a be on about £2,600. unrepresentative statements about the majority of 2 to 1. This situation raises the possibility undemocratic Electoral Reform Society," An amendment mandating the NUS of future conferences voting for small or he added. He was later to be disap- executive to allow the colleges of Oxford zero increase in the main rate grant pointed in his wish. and Cambridge to use the Conference claim if it is decided that FTO's should Chris Morgan, National Treasurer, Subsidy Fund was defeated by a subs not receive a big pay increase. However opposing the amendment, said that it tantial majority. During the debate, the this is rather unlikely; .thus in this proposed disunity at a time when a Merton College delegate ( moving the "index-linked" type situation, the FTO's fighting NUS was needed to combat amendment ) described the executive as seem to be guaranteed annual salary educational cutbacks and an iniquitous fascists. increases in future. Previously, FTO's grants system. The amendment was heavily It was resolved to hold composite had to negotiate for pay increases and defeated by 332810 votes to 110 516 meetings prior to the two NUS confer- this year had agreed not to receive an with 50 874 abstentions - a majority of ences to enabie individual colleges to increase, in view of the Union's finan- get mandation on the final drafts of motions cial situation. that appear before these conferences. The constitution debate was, however, The NUS holds two conferences a year, more concerned with the direct election one in the autumn and one at Easter. of the executive by national secret ballot. The conference also decided that, But once again, direct elections were in future, the student press would be decisively rejected by the conference. admitted into the closed sessions of The resolution, which was eventually conference. The amendment which prop- carried by a two-thirds majority .condemns osed this move instructs the NUS exec direct election of the executive as "to fully inform the student press of undesirable, expensive, impractical, major moves within the campaigning and and liable to lead to bureaucracy and service activities of the Union." careerism. The NUS is to hold a one- day con- ference on the question of its structure Two major amendments were put to and communications. In addition, a the main motion ,one backed by the survey is being mounted to look into the Conservatives and the other by the way colleges elect their delegates. ultra left. It will now be possible for students to Mr. Steve Moon, executive member, in find out who are the candidates standing moving the Conservative backed for NUS executive posts. This follows amendment, called for a "coll,long look a recommendation in the main motion at the constitution". To do this, the con- that candidates manifestos should be ference should elect a working party of distributed to colleges at least six weeks before conference. ten b\STV to "investigate the feasibility Pete Teague of the direct election of the NUS exec- Con tinued from p.7 Solidarity with overseas students Critical look at education abused in certain cases. "Overseas students are here by invitation and should accept the decisions of a democratically elected government," system needed Mr Fairbairn said. "It was up to each government to ensure the post school A MOTION calling on the NUS to take a education of its own nationals, he added. searching and critical look into the Replying to this, a delegate from education system as a whole was Portsmouth Polytechnic said the NUS unanimously agreed to by the conference. had a commitment to the aim that education The motion identified four fundamental is a right. "Who invited the bloody British issues affecting post school education Rick Parker imperialists into half the word anyway?*, today viz, the poor level of finance, he asked. On the question of course content, democracy, content and structure of At this point the debate became a the motion says "All courses must be education. heated and severe condemnation of the subject of consultation between" Central validation of all further and fascism with Ms Valerie Coultas students, staff and representatives from leading the attack. She accused the higher education courses and compulsory subsequent fields of work; students should Broad Left of backing down on the part-time education for all workers not be provided with 'terminal' courses question of opposing fascism by any between 16 and 19 are called for. The which become educational, 'blind alleys' means in the face of the campaigned latter call was embodied in a successful wasteful in time, effort and resources." waged by the bourgeoise press. amendment sponsored by the Part Time Individual colleges are instructed to The amendment was even more Students National Committee. It was form content committees in every decisively defeated than the first one. opposed by IC. department with equal representation of The remaining amendments were also Mr Rick Parker, IC Union Academic students academic and non-academic defeated. Mr Trevor Phillips summing up Affairs Officer, opposing the amendment staff. In addition, colleges should set on the main motion said he did not said he objected to the word 'compulsory'. departmental staff-student academic want to see overseas students sold The amend, said Mr Parker, was "a boards which would be responsible for, down the drain. "The Government is rubbishy amendment". and take all decisions affecting the using overseas students as scapegoats. The motion advocates continuous department. The only way to fight this is to preserve assessment in favour of competitive unity with overseas students. If we The motion also commits the NUS to assessment. The abolition of the latter lose this fight, then I think we have lost fighting against "the increasing control should be the long term aim of the the whole fight against cuts", he warned. of education by business and military National Union. Examinations, the The motion. calls for organised interests." resolution declares, "can restrict action including picketing, lobbying and properly co-ordinated disruptions of educational opportunity and can, Reports by Pictures by meetings discussing the fees and number therefore, be detrimental to the community Duncan Suss of overseas students "where this can as well as the participants." Examinations Paul Ekpenyong & Phil Dean. influence those decisions in favour of only tested the candidates ability to and Duncan Suss. overseas students". assimilate information. MUX

Theatre Terraced in! The Lyttelton Theatre being the building is at last living. IF THERE were one event that could and half on the day of the performance from The architect, Denys Lasdun, has prevent me from beginning my review with 8.30 am) all seats cost £2.35, which pays done the nation proud, using shuttered a paean for Ralph Richardson, Wendy -Hi I ler for admission to the auditorium. A premium concrete to enforce a strong vertical line and Peggy Ashcroft in Ibsen's John of £2 will secure the seat of your choice, inside the foyers, with numerous levels Gabrield Borkmann, it could only be the the remaining seats are distributed to and balconies, from which to observing opening of the new National Theatre those with £2.35 tickets, not more than the arriving audiences and the special buildings on the South Bank, east of two hours before curtain-up. However there events. Perhaps he has failed in respect Waterloo bridge. is plenty to do and see if you arrive that the Thames is almost invisible from It is now 128 years since the wrangling early. within the building for, although the over the setting up of a theatre for the There are two buffets, a restaurant and windows are there in profusion, multi- nation began. Among the sites which have, several bars, which are all open in the level terracing, which will clearly be well over the years, been earmarked for a daytime as appropriate. The cramped occupied on warm summer evenings, National company is that plot opposite the bookstall of the Old Vic days has become obscures any views across to Somerset Victoria and Albert Museum now occupied more spacious and there are, at present, House. by a well-known car hire company. two exhibitions of theatrical objects. On The Lyttelton seems to justify the new The new building is magnificent - most evenings there are events beginning ticket scheme since all the seats appear almost overwhelmingly so, since it nearly around 6.15. These take the form of readings to have an equal advantage. There is no takes over as the focus of attention from or concerts in the spacious foyers or in a feeling, at the back of the stalls, of being the prime target of the play and its per- special room set aside for the purpose. tucked in under the circle, and there are formance. I hope that this is only a When the National Theatre project was a few long rows instead of the usual transient effect, for, although this is one being tossed around by committees there tunnel in which the stage seems a million of the very few new theatre buildings to was a general consensus that one audit- miles from the back rows. In fact the open in Europe in recent years and presents orium would not be enough. You cannot Lyttelton seats twelve more than the Old a radical new concept in theatre going to have an auditorium versatile enough to Vic, in a great deal more intimacy. the public, the actors should really be the hold Shakespeare — ideally on a thrust John Gabriel Borkmann is one of six central attraction. stage — and more modern plays written,for plays transferred to Lyttelton for an The National Theatre has always the proscenium arch. So this building holds introductory season. I didn't see it at the provided concessions to students in the three stages.Only the Lyttelton (proscenium) Old Vic but the larger Lyttelton stage form of cheaper seats for those willing to is open so far - one of Peter Hall's great seems to make more of the claustrophobic queue early on the day of the performance, successes in that, in his own words, "He interiors with large dark voids on either but its new policy of seat booking in the got his foot in the door" - the Olivier side. Sir Ralph and Daine Wendy, with Lyttelton requires that you arrive early at (thrust) is hopefully to open early in July, their idiosyncratic fidgeting in particular the theatre to stake your claim to a with the Cottesloe (a small studio) coming filled the theatre with their distress. A particular numbered seat. Apart from the later. The Grand Official Opening by the splendid performance in a splendid new 10X3 £1 seats (half to be sold in advance Queen comes later still; but for the time theatre. Thomas Stevenson Music Cinema

David Bowie - Station to Station (RCA) Harry Nilsson - Sandman-(nCA) The Slipper And The Rose by Bryan' Forbes: starring Richard Chamberlain, Excellent AN ENIGMA OF Gemma Craven, Anette Crosbie etc. THAT MAN Bowie does it again. Not THERE ARE only two things wrong with content with exercising his super- MEDIOCRITY this film in my view and these are that star talents in the film genre, he has This album is a complete enigma as it is produced by David Frost and the augmented his already excellent catalogue songs are written by the Sherman brothers. of albums with yet another vinyl far as I am concerned. It is neither of anything and when the first line of the However, once I'd got over these two masterpiece. unsavoury facts, the film became, for me He departs from his usual lyrics to the first track on side one is "Deep down in my soul I hate rock and a thoroughly entertaining one. musical trend and produces music that is It overflows with the British stars, not easily catagorised. However, this roll" then a feeling of utter contempt begins to creep in for the whole album. some of whom go in for this type of film does not in anyway detract from it. On and some who don't. Richard Chamberlain the contrary, catagorising is made As my dear friend Lorna pointed out, "It doesn't have "Without You" on it" manages to hide his discomfort and difficult by the individuality expressed struggle through, but the honours must go in the music. and I would agree with her in so far as there is no tune on this vinyl which is to Annette Crosbie as the Fairy Godmother. The album features the hit single of the calibre of that song. She plays the typically charming but "Golden Years" - a far superior version resigned mother always coming to the of which is on the album. In fact, there The only remotely decent song on the whole album is "Pretty soon there'll be rescue with a sigh. This together with isn't a single dud track on the whole her insistence to look ordinary is in album but one must single out "Word on nothing left for everybody". The way things are going at the moment I'd agree. marked contrast to one's idea of a Wing" and "Stay" as absolute Bowie Fairy godmother. I must, however, not finish without classics of the future. Kenneth Moore as the Chamberlain mentioning "The Flying Saucer Song". A The former combines the remarkable and Julian Orchard as Montague, the really amusing song about two drunks voice of Bowie, the neat and tight Prince's cousin, are definitely the having a conversation in a bar — the drumming of Dennis Davis and the piano biggest pair of jokers in the film except sort of conversation that every drunk playing of Roy Bittan to excellent effect. possibly for the Dowager Queen (Edith dreams of having. It is beautifully put to The latter is surely one of the best Evans) whose interjections are a music with a great deal of effect. I can pieces of contemporary funky-rock music humorous treat. imagine people buying the album just for I have heard for some time. this song. A word of warning, however; The film is overplayed in parts as in I have always been somewhat reserved beware of ending up as crab dinner the the scene in the King's Court but as regards Bowie's music, but without same way Nilson seems to have done! otherwise moves at a fairly brisk pace hesitation, I can heartily recommend with romance and disaster coming through this album to you. Paul Ekpenyong tit for tat. it FltlX NSDF EDINBURGH

The 21st National Student Drama Festival

FRIDAY — THE FLYING SCOTSMAN does die 375 miles to Edinburgh in just over five hours — amazing. As we cross the border the hills are suddenly covered with snow. At Waverley station the temperature is 1* C compared with the balmy 14CC of Kings Cross. Although no more snow falls, the slush is slow to clear from the pavements. The usual chaos at the Festival Centre; "Are you from the BBC? We've changed your accommodation. How much money do you owe us?" Charles Manowitz's Palach opens the proceedings. We all sit within a circle, whilst the action takes place around us on four raised platforms, often simul- taneously. The message is in the form, that whatever personal sacrifices a man may make to express a want for freedom, society is so confused by the continuous bombast from the media that his single small voice is lost in a sea of advertising slogans. Do you remember Jan Palach's self-immolation in Wenceleslas Square, Prague, in 1968? To some extent it is the conditioning that we receive from news- papers and television to the news that they present that dulls the sharp edges of our memory.

SATURDAY - After last night's Marowitz play, the man himself. He seems to set himself up as the establish- ment figure of experimental theatre, attacking everything in sight. "What a spectacular lack of imagination the National Theatre has. Why is so much theatre centralised in London? How much the Arts Council Drama Panel is Detail from a scene in "GAS" by Georg Kaiser performed by Leeds University. in a state of jobs for the boys and doling out enotmous sums of money to old Open University student. He is also disembodied mouth by Samuel Beckett. large charismatic organisations like the a prisoner in Wakefield gaol and has It is a curiously compelling performance RSC and NT." At last the students get used his experiences, however remote, of a rarely seen work, though much is in their teeth into him: "Why is your Open to write a play set in a South African the writing. Space Theatre in central London, Mr prison. Apart from the prisoner under Coup d'Etat, from Keele, is another Marowitz?" "Becausel need the criticism sentence of death it is apallingly acted. student written production. An urban and the atmosphere that being in London An acrimonious discussion ensues guerilla comes to dinner in order to gives me"! between those who are enchanted and commit suicide under the noses of his A ten minute walk down the Royal those who are amazed that such work has media-orientated hosts. Gordon Honey- Mile brings us to the cosy Netherbow been selected for the Festival. The combe complains that the revoluntionary's Theatre, where the Central School of selectors patiently explain for the black polo-neck uniform is exactly what Art and Design have got together what I umpteenth time that, of course they are he himself is wearing. There is a can only describe as a piece of performed fallible, but you should have seen the fascinating study of the cultivated city design. Twelve students have each amount of rubbish they had to sit gent putting forward his right wing views visited a different town in England and through. and getting slowly drunk. Minor details distilled his or her impressions of it into We all spill into the Royal Lyceum in the production worry me; why are a five minute performance. What are our for a professional performance — Yobbo they drinking vintage claret with reactions supposed to be? Should we Nowt by John McGrath — by the 7.84 bouillabaisse and without decanting it? end up by having some idea of what Theatre Company (England). Their name Especially as the city gent is teased distinguishes one town from another. comes from the reported fact that 7% of for his knowledge of fine food and wine! Swindon is depicted with foam rubber the population own 84% of the wealth. The Scots have a curious custom of railway tracks and usherettes come Their work is designed for the 93.16 closing the bars at 10pm, effectively round the auditorium dispensing tea. At majority; they set out to use the theatre reducing the social life of the festival. Grimsby they are painting a Russian to educate the working man politically TUESDAY - A fascinating day's work ship and maintaining the street lamps. with a great deal of fun thrown in. It is with Mike Leigh, a director who uses difficult to judge how it would go down improvisation to create drama. His talk SUNDAY - A talk from JW Lambert, with its intended audience but the in- the morning serves only to whet the Literary and Arts editor of the Sunday students certainly enjoy the vitality appetite for the afternoon's practical Times, by whose grace the festival has which has been missing from the session. What we can learn in an been brought to- the age of majority, and Festival so far. afternoon is severely limited (he continues to survive. He gives us a generally takes eight weeks to produce good look at the role of the critic in the MONDAY - The Strathclyde Theatre a play) but, in small groups, we create theatre and the method by which he works. Group has come across from Glasgow characters based on people we already One of the aims of the Festival is to with four productions; three of which know and put them into situations where bring the work of student playwrights to we see this afternoon. Of particular we hope themes will develop and a the forefront.-Frank Oates is a 45 year interest is [slot I, a monologue for a story will build up. mix ti NSDF EDINBURGH

Leonardo's Last Supper is a Rabal- FRIDAY — An end of term spirit prevails. taking these challenging problems and aisian romp in the charnel house at We discuss the next festival and there giving as authentic a production as Amboise, where Leonardo da Vinci's is what turns out to be a prize giving possible. body has been brought. The glee of ceremony, with mysterious envelopes The play, in its time, was a-.prophecy of the doom which would result when a the owner's family over the fame their handed to the winners. world was destroyed by the exploding of work will bring them soon turns to despair What has the Festival achieved? As a showcase for the display of student its entire energy resources - the gas of when it turns out that the master is not the title. It is a prophecy which rings written and student-performed theatre dead after all, however they quickly true. The first hour of the play deals restore the status quo. The actors put a it has worked. There has been ample with the aftermath of the explosion and lot of spirit into the production and time for discussion and professional the confrontation of the two central carry the audience with them on a sea opinions have been freely available. characters, the millionaire's son and the of enthusiasm. At times the discussions have been in engineer-the former owns all the industry Many students, it seems, cannot severe danger of drowning in a sea of ana determines that he will not rebuild it but replace it with a garden cityfa survive more than ten minutes without a intellectual argument. What it all boils down to is what goes on on the stage modern-day conservationist and environ- cigarette. The audience is distracted mentalist) while the engineer argues by the flare of matches and the un- and each member of the audience's response to that experience. that we must put up with occasional pleasant atmosphere created in a from future gaa explosions in order to situation where the non-smokers are A series of familiar names have continue the technological advance of stuck in their seats. appeared and talked and discussed the civilisation.(Surely a vitally relevant theatre but everyone has been very question for a college such as ours.) polite to each other. There has cer- WEDNESDAY - The inhabitants of For the second half of the play, we tainly been too much talk of theatre as Edinburgh seem to possess a strong fear were led out of the small TRAVERSE an intellectual exercise and not enough of crossing roads, perhaps motivated by Theatre, along the drunks' quarter of on the practice of theatre. the apparent disorder in the traffic flow. Edinbugh, at about 10 pm, past decaying Cars and lorries come at me from all My regrets are twofold; Firstly that I tenement blocks and under Piranesian archways to a nearby hall where the directions. missed Leeds University's much Workers' Riot, led by the engineer, was A new play from St. Andrews — Jacek acclaimed performance of Gas, a German expressionist piece of around 1920; and acted out, while the audience was forced Laskowski's Galatea — or as the to stand for another hour. Scotsman apparently misprinted it secondly that I had to return to London without seeing John Hurt, the well-known The combined effect of aural and Gala Tea! The widow receives a visit visual assault from words; white noise; from her brother-in-law and goes into a actor, who was scheduled to talk on Saturday. strobe lights; harsh, evocative, futuristic neurotic monologue which is as much a sets and costumes, not to mentoin the trial for the audience as it must be for late night walk, all summed to produce the actress. The play leaves a lot of One of the inherent factors of a crowded an overpowering effect and a theatrical confusion in its wake. I am worried festival programme is that items are met experience I snail remember for a long that the same record is played twice in or missed suddenly and without preparation time. the play and once it contains guitar Literally at the last minute I decided to music, the second time the Brahms run across to the other side of Edinburgh violin concerto; it is these apparently for a final chance to see a piece of Reports by Thomas Stevenson German Expressionistic drama from the insignificant details that distract the and Eric Stovell. 1920s-Georg Kaiser's 'Gas'. This bit of audience from absorbing the whole. In 'impulse buying' turned up a rare and the formal discussion after the play fascinating purchase. German Expres- various conventions have to be explained sionism is never seen on modern stages by the author/director/leading man; it because of its scale, its unrelenting Pictures courtesy of leaves me wondering what he will do verbal attack and sheer lack of objective 'The Sunday Times'. when there is no formal discussion insight into character ,but Leeds after his plays. University should be congratulated for

THURSDAY - Martin Esslin, head of Below, a scene from "The Key" performed by Rose Bruford College of BBC radio and chairman of the Arts Council Drama Panel talks on today's Speech and Drama. theatre. The British Theatre has a great lead over theatre in other countries because of the basis of tradition and the clash between the subsidised and commercial sectors. There is a discussion of the political power of theatre in Europe. It is theatre, more than any other medium, which can provide images and make points that will be remembered for a long time. To the Traverse Theatre to see a new play by Robert Pugh with his group from Rose Bruford College of Speech and Drama. The Key is a remarkable play with a tremendous force. Three Irishmen dig up their hanged brother to recover a key. The programme says that the play takes place in County Clare, but the appearance of English soldiers sets up an uncontrollable resonance and con- fusion in my mind. In the final scene the brothers perch the corpse on a chair behind the altar. After the soldiers have taken away the ringleader, the idiot brother, who has hidden under the altar to escape detection, rises from his place of concealment as the priest mutters his prayers. What a tremendous theatrical moment when the priest turns to see the corpse apparently come to life! FOUNDED IN 1949 NEWSPAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE UNION

No. 417 Friday April last, 1976. FREE! IT'S A SELL OUT! FELIX Dinner sell out scandal

A SURPRISE ANNOUNCEMENT from Mr. Paul Ekpenyong, Editor of FELIX, at the Editorial Board Meeting last Monday, revealed that the FELIX Annual Dinner, planned for the 17th May, has been sold out even before the printing of the tickets. FREE REAL ALE

Right; Mr Paul Ekpenyong "This success is not surprising,"he commented, "when you consider that the price is iust £4.50 for a single ticket and £8.00 for a double.And there is free A word of explanation. real ale, a barrelfull, for afterwards." TO THOSE of you who have already noticed something different about this week's front page,this note of explanation is offered. (And to those who haven't - read on!) FREE SALT First of all, we needed to advertise the FELIX ANNUAL DINNER (get your tickets here, folks). Anyone who still doesn't want to come was either crippled in the rush to grab FELIX off Members of the Board are taking the announcement the newstands or belongs to a class of people bestunmentioned. with a pinch of salt - as they recommend all readers to - The second reason could be described as temporal.(It could since no returns from ticket sales have yet appeared in also be described as sheer bloody cussedness -Ed.) It tell the accounts. Neither has Mr. Ekpenyong's standard of about this year that we were deprived at our one legitimate living risen so drastically as one would expect of a opportunity to pull a real fast one over our readership. person who has just come into money. Although he was APRIL the FIRST LANDED SLAP in the MIDDLE of HOLIDAYS seen buying himself a drink in the Union Bar just last So this issue, being dated the 30th of April, or April the Last, has taken over the role that the non-existent April Fool edition weekend. would have had. TO ALL OF YOU WHO FELL FOR IT- FREE GEORGE DAVIS !!! LOOF LIRPA

"We confidently expect that tickets will be available from this Monday," said Mr. Duncan Suss, Business Manager of FELIX. "This statement from Mr. Ekpenyong is totally without foundation. None of the Board have even seen these tickets yet, let alone sold any, and we are sure that he hasn't. We feel that he said it merely to create the possibility of a spoof article like this in order to advertise the Dinner. Which, by the way, is very good value Indeed and promises to be a great do." ANNUAL RAQUEL WELCH DINNER Any person who does bring her will receive the grateful thanks of all the FELIX staff, and a vote will MONDAY be taken as to whether or not that person should be admitted free of charge.(She certainly woulcbe.) 17th MAY 1976

THE POSTERS which caused a lot of problems (right) were removed this week, and will be replaced by our Tickets available from the FELIX Office "new improved" version. Watch out for it, folks!