Queues, confusion and closures: the cost of USyd’s new student services / p. 14

The ‘daddy of robots’: USyd’s What to do when you’re Burgers and baguettes beget newest partner wants you to about to be punched in the burgettes: a masturbatory fuck a robot / p. 16 face : a handy guide / p. 10 review of Taste’s latest / p. 12 S2W1 / FIRST PUBLISHED 1929 PUBLISHED S2W1 / FIRST

HONI SOIT LETTERS Acknowledgement of Country Fan mail

We acknowledge the traditional custodians of this land, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. The University of Sydney – where we write, publish and distribute Honi Soit – is on the sovereign land of these people. As students and journalists, we recognise our complicity in the ongoing colonisation of Indigenous land. In Paul’s misses the point recognition of our privilege, we vow to not only include, but to prioritise and centre the experiences of Indigenous people, and to be reflective when we fail to. We recognise our duty to be a counterpoint to the racism that plagues the mainstream media, and to adequately represent the perspectives of Indigenous students at Life and Work at St Paul’s College croft founded the Australian Indig- and the third won the New Colombo students, who taught me more about our University. We also wholeheartedly thank our Indigenous reporters for the continuing contribution of their labour to our learning. enous Mentoring Experience (now Scholarship in order to explore ques- the best aspects of the twenty-first Your last issue included an article Your nation-wide), Nat Ware founded the tions of human diversity, including century than, at my age, I could ever last issue included an article about St international not-for-profit student creative culture and sexuality. have imagined. Who made this Paul’s College by Nick Bonyhady, in business, 180 Degrees Consulting Is this a college that has failed? Is this I am not sure whether you are inter- Editorial Contents which he said that “according to the (but before he came to Paul’s), three a college in any way consistent with ested in exploring both sides of this College’s Senior Tutor Allan Atkin- Paul’s students founded the Sydney the one Bonyhady describes? All these question, but I hope that you’ll pub- Over the holidays, I wrote an article about the retro- Letters / 2 edition happen? son, two thirds of Paul’s boys typically Catapult Business Competition, and details are easily available online. lish this letter in full, in the interests grade attitudes that have prevailed at St Paul’s Col- score credit grades or below”. David Mann founded Shades, for gay Bonyhady must have seen them. He of honest journalism. Bonyhady has cited the lowest annual students. writes about intellectual standards. lege and reared their ugly head in several well pub- News and Analysis / 4 Editor-in-Chief: Nick Bonyhady Alan Atkinson licised incidents of sexual assault and slut-shaming. result for some years. His “glass-half- Also, from 2010 to 2015, every year But don’t good intellectual standards Emeritus Professor Alan Atkinson, an eminent Aus- Opinion / 7 Editors empty” approach also leaves readers except one, the University’s Convoca- depend on careful objectivity? Doesn’t to imagine that many Paul’s students tion Medal was awarded to Paul’s stu- that involve arguing against your own tralian historian and former Head Tutor at Paul’s, Jayce Carrano Kishor Napier-Raman fail altogether. Go to 2016 and ap- dents. This medal (usually one a year) preconceptions? I don’t know Tim has written a reply in this week’s edition. It’s about Long Read / 8 Natassia Chrysanthos Siobhan Ryan ply “glass-half-full” and we find that is given to new graduates for service Bonyhady so that I have no right what- twenty centimetres to the right. Most of what At- Ann Ding Got mail? Michael Sun between 36 and 40 percent of the to the University and the wider world. ever to judge him, but it does seem to kinson writes is incontestable: the College has pro- Perspective / 10 Justine Landis-Hanley Maani Truu students at Paul’s averaged D or HD Paul’s students received it for work in me that as a piece of writing his article Send your irreverent takes duced a large number of successful men. Aidan Molins My only observation is this: in replying to an ar- Culture / 11 overall. Three failed overall but five a variety of areas, from microfinance is inconsistent at its core. and reverent rants to editors@ ticle that was about how the College has protected topped one of more of their Units of in developing counties to combating I’m no longer at Paul’s and I have no toxic attitudes, Atkinson doesn’t devote one word to Longer read / 14 Contributors Study. In languages three-quarters of homophobia in sport. authority to say more about the arti- honisoit.com by 12pm each issues of sexual assault or gendered violence. He fix- Dominic Bui Viet, Kristi Cheng, Samuel Chu, Simon all results were D/HD. And again, within a few months last cle. But I will say one or two things Friday for publication. Keep it ates entirely on one sentence where I noted that the Archives / 18 Coleman, Robin Eames, Hal Fowkes, Cameron Maybe more importantly, Paul’s stu- year, three Paul’s students won schol- about myself. I was resident Senior College’s academic average is not as high as might Gooley, Pranay Jha, Georgia Tan, and Joshua Taylor. dents have done pretty well in their arships overseas. One was awarded Tutor for ten years at Paul’s. In my last under 300 words and include be expected from such a privileged group of boys. Tech / 19 voluntary service to Sydney Univer- the Monash scholarship to work on year (2016) I gave a Sydney Ideas talk your name, degree, year and Draw your own conclusions. NB Artists sity. In a single decade (2001-11) nine the use of information technology to on the subject of the Australian na- Caseworkers / 20 Michael Lotsaris, Momoko Metham, Ludmilla served on the Union Board. Five were improve public health care, another tional conscience, its vital importance how excited you are that the Nunell, Jenna Schroder, and Rebekah Wright. its presidents, and together made a won the Schwarzman scholarship to and its almost total failure right now. holidays are finally over so you SRC reports / 22 big impact on student life at Sydney. do research into organisational struc- That talk was inspired by what I learnt To cite a few more specific cases in tures and the way they can entrench at Paul’s. There I lived among moti- can go back to studying. Puzzles / 24 the same period - Jack Manning Ban- equity, compassion and social justice, vated, energetic and highly idealistic Regulars / 25 The Garter Press / 26 SIKE3017 Cadmus gone Sharia lie Throwback to exams, when third The University has abandoned creepy The Daily Telegraph recently re- Best year social psychology students went anti-cheating software Cadmus after ported that Sydney Law School into their exam room only to find the trialling it in three units across semes- supports the introduction of Sha- correct answers for the multiple choice ter two last year and summer school ria Law in Australia. We actually did Cover image by Rebekah Wright. sections formatted in bold. They then because “staff and students hated it”. our readings and can confirm that Honi Soit, Week 1 Edition, Semester 2, 2017. had to wait for an hour before new The software tracked typing patterns this is yet another case of (shock of the papers were printed. to guard against ghost written essays. horror!) the Tele being super racist. Disclaimer: Honi Soit is published by the Students’ Representative Council, University of Sydney, Level 1 Wentworth Building, City Road, University of Sydney NSW 2006. The SRC’s operation costs, space and administrative support are financed by the University of Sydney. Honi Soit is printed under the auspices of the SRC’s directors of student publications: Nina Dillon-Britton, Pranay Jha, Isabella Pytka, William Ryan, Katie Thorburn, and Adam Ursino. All expressions are published on the basis that they are Honi abroad Paul’s so old Tree is back not to be regarded as the opinions of the SRC unless specifically stated. The Council accepts no responsibility for the accuracy of any of the opinions or information con- Web Honi’s banned ‘Vagina Soit’ cover has In the article that attracted Alan At- A clone of the University’s famed jaca- tained within this newspaper, nor does it endorse any of the advertisements and insertions. Please direct all advertising inquiries to [email protected]. been used in an effort to reduce rates kinson’s response above, Honi exam- randa tree has been planted where the of female genital mutilation in Ken- ined the alumni networks, legislation, original once stood, alongside a new yan communities. The organiser told and wealth that make institutional native flame tree. Don’t miss our video In case you weren’t following our Honi, “I needed a collection of normal, change so difficult at St Paul’s College. for a chance to decide once and for all What’s on this week page while gramming from Europe, naked women ... Only then could I This followed several revelations of if you’re more of a jacaranda or a flame. According to your friend who went to Europe in the holidays here’s what you might have missed. explain ... that all shapes were normal.” misogynistic behaviour at the College.

Tuesday Night Trivia Protest Rape on Campus SUDS Major: In Two Circles SULS Welcome Back Drinks Outback to Sem When: Tuesday August 1, 6pm When: Wednesday August 2, 2pm When: Wednesday August 2 to Saturday August 12 When: Wednesday August 2, 4pm When: Thursday August 3, 6pm Where: Courtyard Bar and Restaurant Where: Outside Fisher Library Where: The Annandale Hotel Where: Taste Baguette Where: The Two Wolves Price: Free Price: Free Price: Adult $30 | Concession $25 | ACCESS $20 | Price: Free for law students Price: $20 (earlybird) SUDS $18

Yay, Courtyard is finally hosting trivia! It’s going I really missed student protests while I was in Eu- Oh cool, it’s a play at the Seymour Centre! When Oh wow, it will be so great to hang out with So the full event name is actually ‘The USYD Me- to be on every Tuesday and there’s going to be rope, actually! I know people find them annoying I was in London, I saw The Twelfth Night at the everyone again! I missed everyone so much while nage-et-trois presents: Outback to Sem’. Did you free bar snacks if you register, food and drink but so many of them are for such important causes. Globe Theatre. It was incredible. It’s actually I was away. And Issy went to Santorini over the know menage a trois means ‘household of three’ vouchers, and $10 pizza. Of course, I’m sure it This one definitely is. The results from that survey kind of like the Seymour Centre here because holidays, I was so sad I didn’t get there, I’ll have in French? I learned that in this little French won’t be nearly as good as the pizza in Naples — the Human Rights Commission did into rates of they both have what’s called an apron stage — to hear all about it from her. There’s even a bar course I did in a town called Clermont-Ferrand in you just can’t top those locally sourced ingredi- sexual assault on campus are coming out on Tues- that’s when the stage juts out so the audience sits tab, although nothing could beat the wines I was Auvergne. It had the most beautiful mountains, ents and years of tradition. But if it’s even half as day, and the National Union of Students and NSW in front of it and on the sides. They told us that drinking in France. You haven’t tried red wine we went on so many walks. Anyway, the three in good it will be amazing! I also spoke to so many women’s collectives have organised a protest to on the tour. Though of course in the Globe you until you’ve had it on a vineyard in Bordeaux, this ‘household’ are Bamsoc, Flair and Movers and fascinating people on my trip, I really feel like it make sure the uni is forced to take action on the stand up — it’s more authentic that way. Any- truly. It’s a shame I won’t be able to bring my Shakers — the three societies putting on this event. opened me up to so much new knowledge and issue. way, this play looks really good! It’s not one of friend from arts but I’ll just see her later in the And they’re bringing free tacos and Little Fat Lamb so many unique experiences — if you’re on my the classics of course, in fact it’s actually devised week to tell her all about Spain. and $5 tequila all night. Wow, I haven’t had a taco table I’m pretty sure we’ll win some of the $200 some students. And it’s not really a conventional since leaving for Europe nearly a month ago! worth of prizes! play either, it’s actually an immersive production about missing persons. Seems like it’s not to be missed, hey? Haha.

2 3 NEWSROOM NEWSROOM Winter holidays to increase by two weeks from 2019 Debates Committee’s Queer Officer SIOBHAN RYAN motion stirs controversy The University will increase the length or for a semester or longer. He also identified the possibility of However, Carlin said that while of winter holidays from four to six He told Honi, “There’s a lot of edu- expanding USyd’s own winter school there are always concerns with such JUSTINE LANDIS-HANLEY weeks, resulting in a two-week reduc- cational reasons why we’ve been keen offerings as a result of the change. changes, “I think where the [Academic] tion of the summer holidays, begin- to do this, [and] the one that I have This follows Carlin’s unsuccessful Board landed was with a view that says A motion to create the position of The Debates Committee was sup- are less vulnerable to that.” and secondly invalidates the experi- ning in 2019. talked most about is the opportunity attempt earlier this year to increase overall the pros outweigh the cons ... queer officer on the USU Debates posed to vote on the motion at their While they acknowledged that ences of bisexual, transgender, and The motion to change semester dates to increase the opportunities for our the length of the winter break by I am confident that this will be enor- Committee, but which places bar- meeting two weeks ago. Instead, the “some experiences of queerness will non-binary people in, what they or was proposed by Deputy Vice Chancel- students to take an international mo- shortening semesters to 12 weeks. mously beneficial for our students.” riers in the path of bisexual candi- Committee has circulated the motion be deprioritised”, the author argued society should consider, a ‘heterosex- lor (Registrar) Tyrone Carlin and passed bility experience.” That proposal was voted down by USyd Students’ Representative dates, has been sent to members of to the debating society membership via this was not the dominant issue here. ual relationship’.” by the Academic Board on Tuesday. The current four-week winter the Academic Board as a result of con- Council (SRC) President Isabella Brook the society for consideration. a Google form for feedback. A set of “It becomes very hard for peo- “A motion built upon the exclusion The change means semester one break is too short to coincide with cerns that it would force academics to told Honi, “We are glad to see that 13 The motion, prepared by a prom- previous changes to the society’s regu- ple who have experiences similar to of self-presentation and relationships will start in the last week of February many summer school courses in the compress teaching materials and that week semesters are being retained”. inent member of the prestigious De- lations providing for affirmative action mine, of being called a faggot at al- is entirely counterproductive to the rather than the first week of March, northern hemisphere, as they have a it would mean students would be get- “This means that students will not bating Society, calls for the appoint- for people of colour was discussed in most every major competition I have queer community’s goal for total as it currently does, and semester two far longer holiday. ting less value out of their degrees. face the increased pressure of learn- ment of a queer officer who publicly the same way, and later approved. been to, to find someone to talk to self-determination in one’s expres- will begin in the first week of August However, Carlin said there are One of the concerns identified ing 13 weeks of content in a shorter identifies as “experiencing same gen- The author of the current motion, when the queer office does not em- sion of gender, sexuality and self,” rather than the last week in July. many valuable summer programs on during consultations about changing period of time, amongst other issues.” der attraction and/or identifying as who would prefer to remain anony- body the content of the experience Parissis said. Carlin hopes the change will help offer in America, Asia and Europe, semester dates was that lengthening The change comes as UNSW pre- trans”. mous, told Honi that queer visibility they want to talk about due to just “There exists no correct way for the University reach the objective in that the University has identified the winter break at the expense of the pares to move to trimesters in 2019, The motion continues to state, was essential given the role would the fact that they visibly engage in queer people to present themselves its current Strategic Plan of having “hundreds of additional places we summer break would leave academics despite opposition from students and though, that “presenting in a cis largely consist of advocating against, heterosexual passing relationship.” or their relationship with others, 50 per cent of students take a course can offer our students” with the extra with less time over the summer for ac- claims the process lacked transparency. heteronormative way, e.g. being a and providing counselling for victims “Another role the queer officer ful- and our community should embrace overseas, whether over the holidays two weeks of holidays. tivities like writing grant applications. heterosexual passing relationship, of, queer-phobia in external debating fils is being an embodiment of visible diversity of expression, even if that should count against but not neces- tournaments. queerness in a society that is filled to adheres to ‘appearing in a cis heter- sarily exclude a candidate from be- “You are only at a major competi- the brim with, and actively centres, onormative way.” ing appointed”. tion for a few days, and most queer- heterosexuality. Obviously someone USU President Courtney Thomp- Perrottet Canvas is the new Blackboard Executive positions are typically ness does not obviously manifest in a heterosexual passing relationship son told Honi the USU is an “organ- made available first to existing mem- itself in the way that some racial or can’t fulfil that role.” isation that values and supports all JAYCE CARRANO bers of Debates Committee. But the gender expression does,” they said. Though SRC Queer Officer Connor queer students on campus” and that faces sexual motion stipulates that where there is “As a result, the people most vul- Parissis says a motion to elect a queer the Board will “consider the matter A trial of Canvas, the rising star of as “a platform that is equipped to The Educational Innovation team a choice between appointing a queer nerable in a debating context are officer who does not present in a ‘cis further if the motion is successful”. learning management systems (LMSs), deliver modern designs facilitated by is providing staff with instructional candidate who presents in a cis het- those who are easily read as same heteronormative way’ “firstly seems The motion is likely to be voted assault trial will be rolled out for 90 units of study contemporary and future tools” that workshops aimed at learning to eronormative way, and a candidate gender attracted or trans. to enforce stereotypes of how queer on in the next Debates Committee this semester. The cloud-based program will result in “a transformation in our “Think in Canvas”. The workshop who isn’t on debate committee cur- “Unsurprisingly, people currently individuals should act and interact, meeting. MAANI TRUU will replace Blackboard in managing blended learning”. links are accompanied by an image rently, the latter should be chosen. in heterosexual passing relationships course materials and assessments. The tangible benefits for students reading “Welcome on Board” which The brother of NSW Treasurer and While Blackboard has the largest are still unclear beyond potentially seems like a slightly cruel jibe at the Minister for Industrial Relations, Dom- market share in the high stakes do-or- more versatile unit pages. jilted Blackboard. inic Perrottet, has come before the die LMS industry, Canvas is its fastest A USyd survey of staff and stu- USyd will join good company, with court to face trial for an alleged sexual growing competitor. dents in 2014 found that one third Berkeley, Harvard, Stanford, and Yale Students’ Representative Council, University of Sydney assault that took place following a St The Educational Innovation team, of respondents were dissatisfied with all using Canvas. John’s College formal in October 2015. directed by Professor Adam Bridge- Blackboard. A desire to ditch the University management aims to Perrottet, now aged 20, is accused man, is spearheading the transition. platform was discussed in Senior Ex- have implemented Canvas for first-year of having repeated non-consensual In a University press release, Bridge- ecutive Group meetings in 2016, al- subjects next year and for all units by Notice of 2017 sex with the alleged victim, then 19, man provided an impressive smatter- though Canvas was not chosen as a the beginning of 2019. Blackboard will on University of Sydney grounds, be- ing of buzzwords, describing Canvas successor until March this year. be laid to rest at the end of 2018. fore being captured on CCTV follow- Students’ Representative Council ing the women back to her dorm, the NSW District Court heard. He has pleaded not guilty to the EBA negotiations intensify Annual Election three counts of sexual assault. The victim, who cannot be identi- KISHOR NAPIER-RAMAN fied, told the court that she had no memory of how she ended up with Negotiations between the National Many of these students were paid versity merges several faculties together. Nominations for the Students’ Representative Council Annual Nomination forms can be downloaded from the SRC website: Perrottet in an area known as the ‘tree Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) and significantly below EBA standards.Honi Progress has also stalled on claims re- Elections for the year 2017 close at 4:30pm on Wednesday the www.src.usyd.edu.au, or picked up from SRC front office canopy’, however gave evidence that the University of Sydney regarding the understands USyd has been back-pay- garding rights for casual employees. she told him to stop, reported Fairfax. new Enterprise Bargaining Agreement ing many Sydney Talent employees In addition, management is seeking 16th of August 2017. Polling will be held on the 20th and 21st of (Level 1, Wentworth Building) from 4:30pm July 26th 2017. September 2017. Pre-polling will take place outside the Jane Foss The defence barrister, Alissa Moen, (EBA) have entered a critical phase. wages in excess of $1000 each. to remove a requirement that new posi- Nominations must also be lodged online along with your policy Russell building on Tuesday the 19th of September 2017 from told the court that the key question The EBA will determine pay and The University also backed down tions be advertised internally before ad- statement and Curriculum Vitae (optional), by close of nominations 10am–3pm. All undergraduate students who are duly enrolled for was whether there was “consent”. working conditions for USyd staff from an attempt to undo ‘40-40-20’ vertising externally. Professional staff at at: www.srcusyd.net.au. For more information call 9660 5222. “The defence contention is that it over the next three years. protections for teaching and research USyd are typically not promoted within attendance at lectures are eligible to vote. Members of the student was entirely consensual,” Moen said. Although the NTEU has secured academics. The ‘40-40-20’ rule deter- their roles; instead, career progression body who have paid their nomination fee to Council are eligible to Original signed nomination forms and a printed copy of your online She additionally urged the jury to some important concessions, manage- mines the percentage of time academ- occurs by applying for other higher-pay- nominate and be nominated, except National Union of Students nomination must be received no later than 4:30pm on Wednesday ignore the widespread publicity sur- ment’s rejection of several claims could ics may spend on teaching, research ing jobs at the University. national office bearers. Full-time officebearers of the SRC may also 16th August, either at the SRC front office (Level 1, Wentworth rounding sexual assault on campus. ultimately lead to industrial action. and administrative work respectively. It is not yet certain whether we nominate as NUS delegates. Building), OR at the following postal address: Results from the Australian Human The current EBA, which was finalised Its removal would have severely cur- will see industrial action over com- PO Box 794, Broadway NSW 2007. Rights Commission nation-wide sur- in 2013 following an 18-month negotia- tailed the autonomy of academic re- ing months. However, Marsh told Nominations are called for the following elections/positions vey into sexual assault and harass- tion, led to seven days of strikes includ- searchers, by allowing the Univer- Honi that “there are clear indications and open on the 26th July 2017 at 4:30pm: Nominations which have not been delivered (printed, signed, ment on university campuses were ing the disruption of Open Day. sity to force them to undertake more that we need to be prepared to take hardcopy) either to the Electoral Officer at the SRC front office or to (a) The election of the Representatives to the 90th SRC released Monday this week. To some extent, the University ap- teaching and administrative tasks. industrial action if we are to secure the post office box shown above and submitted online by the close In 2016, Honi was the first to re- pears to have taken a more concilia- Yet despite these successes, there is our key claims, and to protect our- (33 positions) of nominations will not be accepted regardless of when they were veal the identity of Perrottet, who, at tory approach this time round, though a concern amongst NTEU members selves against management attempts the time of the alleged assault, was with pay negotiations to occur only that many important demands are to wind back important staff rights.” (b) The election of the President of the 90th SRC posted or received. a student at the University of New late in the process, there could well not being met by management. As required by the Fair Work Act, (c) The election of the Editor(s) of Honi Soit for the 90th SRC The regulations of the SRC relating to elections are available South Wales and had attended the be a sting in management’s tail. The NTEU is worried that the Uni- the NTEU is currently conducting a online at www.srcusyd.net.au or from the SRC front office, (d) The election of National Union of Students delegates for formal as a guest After a long campaign from the versity’s current restructuring process secret ballot of its members to decide (Level 1, Wentworth Building). His brother, Dominic Perrottet, NTEU, the University agreed to ex- could seriously undermine job security whether to undertake industrial ac- the 90th SRC (7 positions) was elected the Deputy Leader of the tend EBA protections to employees for staff. According to NTEA Sydney tion should various demands not be NSW Liberal Party in January 2017. of Sydney Talent, a placement service branch member Alex Marsh, manage- met by management. Authorised by P. Graham, Electoral Officer 2017. The trial continues. which provides USyd students with ment opposed the union’s important ‘no The NTEU’s ballot closes on Fri- Students’ Representative Council, University of Sydney jobs in a variety of typically casual forced redundancy’ claim, paving the day, with negotiations set to continue Phone: 02 9660 5222 | www.srcusyd.net.au administrative roles. way for numerous lay-offs as the Uni- throughout semester two.

4 5 LONG READ PODIUM The forgotten station The legally binding altruism at the core of the USU SIMON COLEMAN / Redfern station is the state’s 6th busiest, so how did it become so neglected? SAMUEL CHU / The USU is legally defined as a charity and it’s important its directors don’t forget that.

In 2004, the state government revealed plans for a At the end of last semester, most of us were getting 2013, which somewhat unhelpfully describes it as $34.5 million redevelopment of Redfern Station. A ready to enjoy the sweet relief of the winter break. an organisation with “charitable purposes”. year later the plans were put on hold — it turned Meanwhile, the University of Sydney Union, our ev- The USU has not made clear its “charity subtype”, out the money had never been budgeted for. In er-present campus pizza and meat box vendor, was which is the ACNC’s way of indicating a charity’s 2017, after many more promises and proposals, the getting ready to release its 2017-2020 Strategic Plan. “charitable purpose”. Legal cases that have exam- station remains untouched. A glance at the Strategic Plan highlights its major ined the definition of “charity”, including one situa- Redfern station’s oft promised redevelopment problem — many of the USU’s major strategic goals, tion where the Australian National University Union is emblematic of Sydney’s public transport plan- especially its overarching commitment to financial tried in vain to claim that it was a “benevolent” or- ning. Promises are made without secured funding, and organisational “growth”, are indistinguishable ganisation, suggest that the most appropriate “char- and multimillion dollar studies are undertaken and from those of a for-profit enterprise. itable purpose” of those found in the Charities Act is never acted on. What results is a long neglected sta- According to the plan, the USU is aiming to grow “the purpose of advancing education”. tion with poor disability access that is struggling to financially by “developing internal and external in- This should have significant implications for how cope with growing patronage. Redfern Station was come streams” and pursuing new “commercial op- the USU is run. Sydney’s first City’s rail terminus (connected toa portunities”. The Union was clearly not put off big With a purpose of “advancing education”, the long gone tram network) before Central was built in business in June when a representative of Tsingtao, USU must not be run like a for-profit business, the early twentieth century. As a result of this histor- a Chinese alcohol company that has partnered with and should not foster a public perception that its ical legacy, all but one of Sydney’s main train lines the USU, started a flame war with students online. goals and activities are similar to those of a for- run through the station, and consequently it is the The USU wants to “monitor external trends” to profit business or a trade union. Whilst the main- sixth busiest in the Sydney Trains network. Due to “ensure revenue growth”, even as successive USU tenance of sustainable revenue and principled growth of USyd and the nearby area, its usage has Board candidates campaign on cheaper ACCESS values are understandably important to the USU, nearly doubled during the last decade, from 16,000 cards, food and the like, all of which would under- The first section of the strategic plan is titled “growth”. its core activities must remain focused on its char- passengers a day in 2005 to 30,000 in 2016. cut the USU’s desire for “revenue growth”. Over the itable purpose. Given the need for station improvements, local next four years, the USU is also seeking to build its alent to the “U” in the National Tertiary Education The USU shouldn’t worry about rejecting un- community groups including RedWatch have been financial reserves and improve its ability to pursue Union (NTEU). Meanwhile, Jacob Masina pitched seemly commercial deals when some of the deals running campaigns for years to spur the government large projects. himself as an “efficient” manager of what he be- that are struck end up frustrating and annoying stu- into action. Lift Redfern, an amalgamation of com- Granted, the Strategic Plan does place some em- lieved to be “essentially a corporate entity”, even dents. It shouldn’t navel gaze on revenue streams munity groups, has circulated a petition with over phasis on the USU’s “not-for-profit” nature and de- though the USU is an unincorporated association — when campus events, especially late-night affairs, 11,500 signatures calling for improved disability ac- sire to improve the “campus experience”, including in other words, not a corporate entity. Masina was are inaccessible for many students, whether due An artist’s impression of a future Redfern station. Image: NSW Government / RedWatch. cess at the station. Despite being one of the busiest for marginalised communities, but these objectives elected, McMenamin was not. to time, cost, or distance. Its Board of Directors stations in the network, only two of the twelve plat- pale in significance when juxtaposed with its- pri Here’s the thing: the USU is neither a trade union shouldn’t forget that they have been entrusted with forms have lifts. As Lift Redfern has publicised, “Red- er-pays toll roads, while in other cases it was due begin the next year. In 2015 when the Baird govern- mary focus on corporate expansion. nor a corporation — it’s a federally registered char- the educational experience of sixty thousand univer- fern/Waterloo is home to one of the highest popula- to state governments prioritising the necessary de- ment opted for a metro station at Waterloo, it also This clash between divergent aspects of the USU’s ity, governed by the Australian Charities and Not-for- sity students, and should be prepared to shoulder tions of social housing communities many of whom velopment of public transport mega projects over promised investigations on the redevelopment of identity is nothing new — it featured in the 2017 profits Commission (ACNC) Act 2012. that responsibility. are elderly and frail”. Under federal law Redfern Sta- improving existing infrastructure. Redfern station. Proceeds from the sale of the neigh- election for the USU’s Board of Directors. Whilst The ACNC Act specifies that the USU must meet The USU must focus on one thing and one thing tion should be totally compliant with disability stand- The catalogue of failures is long. The 2001 ‘Chris- bouring Australian Technology Park were promised campaigning, candidate Caitlin McMenamin repeat- the description of the word “charity” if it wishes to only: ensuring that USyd students from all back- ards by 2022, but the state government has not made tie Report’, authored by then Coordinator-General for funding local infrastructure including the station edly promised to be a “left-wing voice on Board”, be registered with the ACNC. The legal description grounds can have the best possible time at university. plans to achieve this goal publicly available. of Rail Ron Christie, set out plans for a $30 million redevelopment, yet two years later that commitment possibly equating the “Union” in the USU was equiv- of the word “charity” is found in the Charities Act That’d be the charitable thing to do, after all. 40 per cent of USyd students use the station to “capacity enhancing” upgrade needed to “modernise does not appear on the government Urban Growth commute to campus, and the University expects the the aging facilities” and cater for projected “signif- development agency’s website project website (al- student population to increase by 26,000 to 75,000 icant increases in demand” by 2006. In 2005, the though it still appears on their publicly accessible Don’t you dare lower the bar for people like me in the next two decades. Director of campus infra- Carr government announced it planned to redevelop archived site). The upgrade of Redfern Station is the structure services Greg Robinson has labeled Red- Redfern Station when the second harbour crossing to Urban Growth’s number one priority for the area but ANN DING / The arguments over Rupi Kaur’s work represent an identity-politics laziness which threatens to delegitimise art by fern Station “inadequate” while lobbying the state Chatswood was built. It never was. In 2006, Premier it is “subject to funding and Government commit- marginalised individuals that is actually good. government unsuccessfully for light rail and metro, Morris Iemma approved some studies for Redfern ments” that have not yet been made. Transport Min- according to the Sydney Morning Herald. In 2015 the station, but largely focussed on his proposed rapid ister Andrew Constance recently told the Herald that Just over a week ago, Twitter user @bobby posted especially survivors of domestic violence and abuse; cause the creator is oppressed, but it’s simply wrong University lost out to Waterloo for a new metro sta- transit rail network that bypassed Redfern. That too in regard to Redfern Station “further transport solu- four pictures of pages from Rupi Kaur’s book milk there are yet more who decry the callous mocking that to assume that the people for whom Kaur’s art is tion as part of the second harbour crossing, and the was never built. The Redfern Waterloo Authority tions would only be considered once the necessary and honey, saying “sorry but this shit sucks so bad much of the conversation is made up of. most ‘relatable’ will agree that it represents them. proposed West Metro is unlikely to go anywhere near promised to fast-track the Redfern Station upgrade planning work has been done”. But after nearly two lol”. The tweet has since accumulated 37,473 likes Mentions of the plagiarism accusations made Let me be clear: I agree that artists of colour should the University. Three years prior, in 2012 UNSW pre- by 2011. Instead, that was the year of the Authori- decades of planning one wonders how much further and been retweeted 11,567 times, and below it in against Kaur by fellow woman of colour poet Nayy- not be held to some impossible higher standard. But vailed over USyd for a light rail link. More recently, ty’s dissolution. In 2010, plans were put to Treasury study will be needed for an upgrade to ever occur. a long, meandering thread of replies, you can find irah Waheed pop up now and then; people make the whole conversation around Kaur, to me, reads the state government has canceled light rail plan- for a three year redevelopment of Redfern Station to netizens passionately tweet-duelling about the mer- comparisons between her and Warsan Shire, another like a subset of young, well-meaning, progressive, ning for Parramatta Road (and given Labor’s lack its, or lack thereof, of Kaur’s poetry. woman of colour poet whose work was sampled by identity-driven types lowering the bar for people like of support) it is unlikely to happen anytime soon. Kaur’s work is polarising. In the froth of the Twitter Beyoncé in her latest album, and label Kaur’s work me. Can’t we conceive of a critical atmosphere that Given the absence of planned alternative transport debate, there are those who mock her outright, taking derivative. It’d be dishonest, I think, for me to con- raises the bar for everyone? The idea that we should options for the University, Redfern Station looks set memeish song lyrics and adding line breaks until they tinue talking about Kaur without mentioning these entertain any kind of mediocrity for the sake of fair- to become increasingly important. resemble her short, clipped, enjambed lines; there are things. But they’re also not my focus. ness seems like a terrible idea for everyone involved. Previous government studies (obtained by the others who defend her work, saying it is wildly success- In amongst all the back-and-forth, some defend- I anticipate that if we were to exempt Kaur’s work RedWatch community organisation under freedom ful and has brought comfort to many young women, ers of Kaur come out with the argument that be- — or by extension, the work of people of colour, of of information laws) have shown that Redfern’s cause Kaur is a woman of colour who has survived women, of survivors, or of any intersection of any capacity and accessibility could be increased while domestic violence and abuse and been able to write oppressions — from being taken apart by critical preserving its heritage. The original entrances on about it, criticism of her writing is ignorant, cruel, or eyes, it would only lead to such work not being Lawson Street could be closed, and a modern con- entitled. They insist that those who are targeting her taken seriously by anyone because of its tokenisa- course with two staircases and lifts to every platform are targeting her for these things. tion. I’m aware that such work already faces greater (removing the bottlenecks of the old cramped stairs) Twitter user @roj_ame responds to the topic by ask- barriers and harsher scrutiny. But the sort of knee- built at the opposite southern end of the platforms. ing “Why is the internet mocking Rupi Kaur? B/c obv jerk responses we see defending Kaur purely on the The new concourse would have an eastern entrance it’s not hard enough for DV survivors & WoC to pro- basis of who she is, and not the quality of her work, at Gibbons Park near the apartment towers, and a duce art? Let alone falter in that art?” They then reply are not the right answer either. western entrance at a pedestrianised Little Eveleigh to themselves, saying that people of colour should be There might be some valid objections to the way Street or Ivy Lane. This western entrance would pro- allowed to make both simple and complex art. people are talking about Kaur’s work: the criticism vide a direct walk to campus and pedestrian access The defence reads hollowly; it’s a reach to say is often more like mean-spirited parodic takedowns, far less cramped than Lawson Street. As University that Kaur’s naysayers have it out for her because of with plenty of users tweeting fake Rupi Kaur poems of Sydney Professor of Transport Engineering Da- her identity, and more to the point, to treat Kaur’s (one of my favourites, by @bobby, goes, “i / am my vid Levinson notes on the Transportist website, the identity as somehow the factor that grants her im- own / dad”). I’m not even convinced that this sort of western entrance would reduce backtracking and munity from criticism of her work is to misunder- mockery is bad — actually I think it might be good save at least a few minutes of walking to campus. stand the nature of marginalised artists. — but at least this objection isn’t a conflation of the Numerous upgrade plans have been announced In the Twitter thread alone, you can find multiple marginalised with the good. for Redfern over the last seventeen years, yet none individuals expressing their dislike of Kaur’s work as And what of my opinion of Kaur’s writing? Well, I have come to fruition. At times it was because pub- survivors themselves. Not only is it critically lazy to still would have written this piece even if I thought An eagle eye view of a Redfern that never came. Image: NSW Government / RedWatch. lic transport funding had been cut in favour of us- Screenshot of @bobby’s tweet. assert that art has value or shouldn’t be touched be- her work was worthwhile.

6 7 LONG READ The nine lives of the Quadrangle jacaranda ROBIN EAMES / The tree that just died was not the first to occupy the Quad

In 1787, the area where the University of Sydney “scraggy shrub”, a “desecration of our verdant As late as 1945 Honi Soit made reference to “the now resides was a lush and thickly wooded forest lawns”, a “staunch sapling”, and an “arboreal ex- student who believes in fighting for his convic- of towering eucalypts. To the north, the trees were crescence”. Waterhouse confronted the tree-sabo- tions—whether they be for freedom of speech or home to bark-wrapped bones, teeth, and possums. teurs in the pages of Honi’s Letters to the Editor, the removal of the jacaranda in the quad!” Judging Two Koori roads snaked around the hill and met at a naming the vandalism as “cowardly”, “contempti- from historical and aerial photographs contained sit-down spot that is now Victoria Park. Several fresh- ble”, “despicable”, “mean-spirited”, and “a blot on in the University of Sydney archives, the tree that water springs crept out of the grounds, one feeding a the scutcheon”. The students retorted that the real lasted the longest was most likely planted sometime marsh. There were two scar trees, now lost. blot on the scutcheon was the tree itself. in the 1950s, along with three other jacarandas In 1792, the lands were seized by Francis Grose One of the vandals wrote back to Waterhouse un- that did not survive. Photographs from the 1960s and over the next several years the tall forests were der the pseudonym ‘Botanicus’ to complain of the show a tree that begins to bear some resemblance gradually whittled away until the area became quite “continuing offence” of the existence of the jaca- to the “beloved” jacaranda described in last year’s barren, populated now by cows rather than pos- randa. Honi’s editors chose to disregard commands obituaries. According to Waterhouse, his eventual sums. Well after the 1850s, when the land became from the Council that anonymous anti-jacaranda triumph was achieved by way of growing a jaca- home to the newly established University of Sydney, agents be excluded from publication, citing their randa secretly in a university and transplanting it cows continued to wander through the grounds dedication to the ‘freedom of expression among the to the University grounds once it was too large to alongside the undergraduates. Student Body’. Between 1935 and 1939 the tree easily uproot or damage. In 1927, Professor E. G. Waterhouse, despairing was assassinated five times in five years. Water- of the “wilderness” of the Quadrangle and highly house called it “a dirty kind of work”, and rather ‘The first Quad Jacaranda was aware of the impending visit of the Duke of York, plaintively enquired “Do students wish to have their began a “beautification campaign”. Several areas University more beautiful?”, apparently uncompre- in fact remarkably short-lived. were paved over, the wild grasses were replaced hending of why the students might find the jaca- So was the tree that replaced it. with carefully kept lawns, and a number of trees randa’s beauty (or lack thereof) to be contentious. were planted, including camellias (Waterhouse’s fa- In their own way the students seemed to be rather So was the tree after that.’ vourite plant) and the now-famous Quad jacaranda. fond of the tree, or at least of the gleeful scandal of Contrary to popular opinion this particular Quad its continuing destruction; in 1938 a student rather There is a jacaranda in the Vice-Chancellor’s gar- jacaranda did not survive for 88 years only to suc- cheekily described the effects of the blush of spring den that was probably planted sometime between cumb to disease in the waning months of 2016. The on the University, including ‘our Jacaranda, joyfully 1926 and 1928, thereby outliving both the actual first Quad jacaranda was in fact remarkably short- greeting its first (and perhaps its last) vernal sea- Quad jacaranda and the mythical one. The jacaranda lived. So was the tree that replaced it. So was the son’. that met its demise last year was probably between tree after that. And the several more that followed. Efforts to protect the tree from its academic en- 55 and 75 years of age. The jacaranda planted this According to Waterhouse it became a “stunt” for the emies saw an iron and concrete fence being built week, alongside a native flame tree, is the descend- students to uproot the successive jacarandas in the around the thing, the Yeoman Bedell and the Stu- ant of a proud tradition of 88 years of replacement south-eastern corner of the Quad. dents’ Evening Association keeping a night watch jacarandas. Looking at it now it does seem to be The relationship between the jacarandas and the over the vulnerable sapling, and frequent patrols of more of a scraggy shrub than the “lordly tree” that student population may perhaps be best described the area to look out for unsavoury characters that Waterhouse so admired, but given time it may well as a puckish kind of guerrilla warfare, that by all might seek to harm the tree. None of these meas- flourish into a tree of equal import to its immediate accounts seems to have been the bane of Water- ures worked. In 1939, after several years of the tree predecessor. The flame tree is already very beautiful, house’s life and career. Honi Soit called the state being cut down every year around the University and as an Australian native its continued survival of affairs a “civil war”. It lasted for decades. The Commemoration festivities, 30 yards of the protec- seems surer than that of its South American sibling. tree was described variously by tive fence were broken down by way of the Images: newspaper clippings from across students as a iron bars being bent or removed and the the years. Sourced by Robin Eames concrete smashed. The jacaranda’s roots were exposed by way of being blasted with a fire hydrant, which was left running af- ter the vandals absconded with the en- tirety of the tree, causing the Quadrangle to flood.

8 9 LOOKOUT STUDIO Confessions of a bad gay Sulari Gentill: Not your average Agatha Christie J. J. TAYLOR / Reflections on gay identity and performativity CAMERON GOOLEY / Crossing the Lines is a genre-bending new novel from a traditionally genre-defined author

I got my first job working at a clothing store in but to the kind of gay I was. It was a judgement of oppressive heteronormative strictures and ‘tradi- “I’d love to be an Agatha Christie, but I don’t only but after a while characters start to have independ- brand, Madeleine responds with: “I’m a person, not Broadway between finishing school and turning 18. my performance of gay identity, as he understood tional’ masculinity to create a space of their own, want to be an Agatha Christie,” laughs the woman ent existences.” a brand.” It was one that catered primarily to men in their and practiced it. a long and violent history of resistance, it seems sitting across from me in the lobby bar of the Hyatt This theme is the major narrative driving force Her agent, however, swiftly replies: “Not any- thirties and forties — think cotton blazers, and crisp To judge how good or bad I was at performing gay men have reverted to an essentialist forma- Regency. of her newest novel, Crossing the Lines, which is more. You’re Madeleine d’Leon, synonymous with shirts, and unfortunate-looking brogues — chan- ‘gayness’ is a curious and problematic scenario. tion of identity, one that is rigid and exclusive. Here, we are surrounded by noise and action. Be- due to be published this August. While reading an the working-class feminist heroine who solves nelling ‘classic with a hint of quirk’ to the modestly These men subscribe to the idea that there are By characterising men, relationships, sex as defin- hind me a man in a suit with a bottle of Veuve brags advanced copy, it is immediately apparent that the crimes by looking at what people throw away.” earning professional. Servicing this clientele were a clear parameters around what constitutes gay itive types and roles, gay men have regulated their of his wealth to a younger woman in a little black novel borrows deeply from both her experiences in This conversation mirrors one of the difficulties team of jaded twenty and thirty-somethings, most of identity and its performance. Having drawn up own bodies, and perpetuated a patriarchal power dress, and in front, a woman accompanied by her the publishing industry, and personally as an author. that Sulari has faced in her writing career. When her whom were gay men. As they shared their stories of the parameters, they have mapped my attributes, imbalance amongst themselves. It’s a gross con- two toddlers yells at a receptionist about the speed “This [Crossing the Lines] was all about exploring first Rowland Sinclair novel, A Few Right Thinking petty workplace politics, nightmarish customers and behaviours and mannerisms, assessed if they fit, tradiction that on the one hand we celebrate gay of the wifi in her room. The atmosphere is chaotic, that whole relationship between writer and protago- Men, was published in 2008 the reviews considered wild weekend escapades, I began to understand the and offered their judgement. It’s the enactment of men’s resistance of a narrow conception of mascu- but I take little notice of anything apart from my nist which I’ve always been interested about because it to be a literary novel at the time. However after minutiae of life in Sydney for the average gay man. an essentialist gay identity, implemented to clas- linity, and then, between gay men, exert the same conversation partner. I’ve been living that through my other series,” she says. A Decline in Prophets, her second Sinclair novel, she I had just finished eight years of single-sex Catholic sify and hierarchise other gay men. kind of limiting and exclusive essentialism. Sulari Gentill is, without exception, the most an- Crossing the Lines is clearly a departure from began to be widely considered as specifically a crime education and only been openly acknowledging my Such essentialism has produced a set of con- Besides the question of how bad I am at being imated person I have ever met. Her eyes are warm, her regular style of writing, that fact itself being a fiction writer. own sexuality for about a year, so some of the con- crete categories describing bodies, behaviours, gay (apparently very), the longer I reflect on this her smile expressive, and her conversation engaging self-referential theme in the work. The novel fol- “I won the Davitt Award, which is a crime fiction versations I had were particularly eye-opening — sex and relationships. A gay man is classified by the more the question has become not “Why am I — within an hour of our meeting I feel like I’ve been lows two authors as they write about each other, award, and ever since then the reviews have been none more so than graphic descriptions of regular as a twink, jock, bear, otter — the list goes on bad?” but more “Why do they care?” How does it friends with her for years. With a cup of English and develop relationships with their ‘creations’. It is focusing on the crime and the rollicking good time three day benders and the prevalent use of crystal — according to their body type, age, facial hair, affect them and their own performance of their Breakfast in hand, she treats me to the story of how unclear whether Madeleine d’Leon, a rural lawyer aspects,” she explains. meth. and various other arbitrary criteria. They are also identity? she acquired her beautifully embroidered coat; on and part-time crime novelist, or Edward McGinnity, “That’s fine, I’ve got no problems with being a Young and perceptibly naïve, my co-workers distinguished by their mannerisms and prefer- Perhaps this attachment to prescribed identity one of her many work trips to Sydney she noticed it a wealthy orphan and literary writer, is the author genre writer — I’m proud of that. But I don’t want were eager to impress upon me the ins and outs ences: top/bottom, masc/femme, dom/sub. The is a result of gay men being unsure of who they sitting on the sale rack of the Gorman near her hotel or the subject. Although it deals with a crime, this is to be boxed in. of gay life. But whilst they were deeply invested proliferation of these essentialist categories both were prior to their ‘coming out’, that ultimate ep- and simply had to have it. In hindsight, I’m sure Su- not a crime novel per se — it is meta-fiction, psycho- “The problem is that if you want to expand [your in this lifestyle and culture, I wasn’t so swept up limit what may constitute gay identity and enact isode of self-actualisation. Maybe it was that very lari could have spent thirty minutes explaining what logically compelling and very self-aware. repertoire] then you really have to work against in it. There was nothing about these men’s con- regulatory regimes on bodies. feeling of difference, the feeling of never fitting her favourite brand of cereal was and I still would Madeleine d’Leon is clearly based on Sulari her- your own branding which is quite the risk. You’re versations, their fashion or the music they danced The binary construction of these categories also in, never being truly recognised or accepted as a have given her my unequivocal attention. The ease self; both have worked in corporate law, both are not confined in terms of your imagination, but the to that persuaded me to involve myself in their creates a set of power structures between men. man, battling to justify the legitimacy of one’s self. with which she manages to turn the ordinary into crime fiction novelists with a brand based around a commercial reality of it [publishing].” community. Within sexual relationships, for example, a man Maybe it was the lived experience of subjugation, something extraordinary is testament to her skill as well known protagonist (in Maddie’s case, an early It’s a shame that critical recognition of her “brand” My resistance didn’t go unnoticed. One day a who is a top and ‘masculine’ exerts power over being on the receiving end of violent words and a storyteller. maid from the 1910s who solves crimes while deal- seems to focus more on the genre of her work rather colleague said to me, “You’re such a bad gay.” Ini- one who is a bottom and ‘feminine’. This errone- actions from straight men that reminded gay men Sulari has been writing professionally for a dec- ing with early feminist and class themes). They even than the way in which it is presented. Sulari’s writ- tially, I was puzzled by this. He said it facetiously, ous gendering of sexual roles between two men of their masculine failures and their lack of power. ade, and is most well known for her crime fiction look and act alike; both short, Sri Lankan women ing style is extremely recognisable to those familiar but there was a trace of judgement and disdain (I can’t help but think of all those occasions I’ve Perhaps the rigours of gay identity, in response to series starring protagonist Rowland Sinclair — a with kind, open smiles and endearing senses of hu- with it. Her work is consistently well structured, and behind this accusation. At first, I wasn’t quite sure been asked by earnest straight people, “Who’s these insecurities and traumas, offers the stability, young, wealthy artist-cum-detective living a bohe- mour. Edward McGinnity, in turn, is clearly based in her use of language is both functional and appropri- what he was referring to – was he saying I’m bad the dude and who’s the chick?”) establishes the structure and opportunity to inhabit a position of mian lifestyle in Sydney during the Great Depres- part on Rowland Sinclair. ate. Unlike many writers, Sulari is never grandiose at being attracted to other men? I can assure you same power dynamic that exists between men and power that these men always longed for. sion. That isn’t to suggest she is a one hit wonder. By drawing such direct inspiration from her own without reason. there’s nothing ‘faulty’ in that department. women, a patriarchal dynamic that feminism has But then again, what would I know? I’m just a Sulari has also written the “Hero Trilogy” of teen experiences, Sulari could have easily turned Crossing “I think it’s my legal training. One thing legal But after a little more consideration it became been trying to dismantle for decades. bad gay. fantasy novels that take inspiration from Greek my- the Lines into a self-indulgent write off. Thankfully training teaches you is to pick your words precisely obvious that he was referring not to how gay I was, For all of queer people’s success in subverting thology, and has just finished a play that she’s cur- her novel is no such thing. It’s an insightful charac- and accurately the first time. A lot of writers grab at rently pitching to the Melbourne Theatre Company. ter study, with as much to say about the publishing words that are around-about what they mean, but However, Rowland is Sulari’s most noteworthy crea- industry and commercial realities of writing as it I use words that mean exactly what I mean when I tion; not just for the audience, but for herself. After does about the philosophy of authorship. put them down. It just means that my first drafts are eight novels her relationship with one Mr Sinclair In an early chapter, during a meeting between very similar to the finished product,” she says as she has developed to the point where she views him as Madeleine and her literary agent, the two discuss pours herself another cup of tea. more friend than literary creation. the elephant in the room — the fact that Madeleine’s Crossing the Lines may very well earn Sulari the “I’m currently writing the ninth Rowland Sinclair publishers like the character Veronica Killwilly, her critical recognition she deserves. It’s a clever psycho- book and I do find myself influenced by what he murder-solving maid. When her agent tells her that logical study, and a prime example of contemporary What to do when you’re about to be punched in the thinks,” she says. “I know that sounds quite bizarre the publishers have “spent a fortune” building her Australian meta-fiction.HS face: five easy steps.

So, through some series of poor choices you’ve found You’ve got that to deal with! As Mike Tyson once said: Halloween to save money on fake blood. Be careful yourself being accosted by a soon-to-be assailant. All “Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the not to move your head too much in order to reduce non-violent courses of action have failed, and the only mouth”, and that’s a guy whose job it was to punch and the risk of exacerbating a neck injury. While at the possible outcome you see ends with being punched in be punched in the face. hospital, make sure you say a pray to a higher power, the face. If you’re like me, then your past confrontations that our government’s healthcare system and victim’s aren’t solved using dumb fists, but rather, stupid words. Step 3: Fall with grace compensation will somehow allow you to walk out However, having recently had an eye-opening (and You’ve taken a few hits and now it’s time to clock out. of this experience with more money than when you subsequently swelling) experience myself, which ended The simplest way to do this is just to fall over. Once started. with me being punched in the face several times, I you’re on the floor and your face is out of punching Where the healthcare system does fail, however, is in thought I’d explain a few tips I wish I’d known as it was reach, people will tend to ignore you. You may think dealing with the psychological trauma inflicted by being happening. this is a bit of a demeaning move, and I agree, which is punched in the face. It’s important to accept help from why it’s important to perfect your fall. There’s nothing those closest to you, and deferring to professionals Step 1: Pick a side more humiliating than a witness statement claiming is an excellent choice if available. It may take a while It may be too late to pick a side in your impending you crumpled or collapsed to the floor. You should aim before you find yourself able to go out comfortably conflict, but it’s not too late to pick which side of your to impress your attacker and frightened bystanders again, and you may always be slightly more guarded face you think could benefit the most from being by aiming for a steady descent or ideally an elegant than you were before. Take your time to process punched. Use this situation to correct a crooked nose, glide. As always, practice makes perfect, but don’t what has happened, and make sure you always have unaligned jaw or that extra tooth the dentist said hurt yourself — save those injuries for when you get someone to talk to if need be. should’ve fallen out by now — even this cloud has a punched in the face. silver lining! Step 5: Congrats! Step 4: Dealing with the aftermath Great work! You have been punched in the face. Try not Step 2: Don’t punch back Steps 1-3 should ideally have taken under a few to get punched in the face again, but if you do, that’s Once it’s clear that your face has been dealt a punch, minutes, but this one can take much longer. Firstly, take okay. Just repeat from step 1. one needs to make an important decision: should I lots of photos. Not only do they get great traction on fight back? Even if you had the fighting skills your brain social media, but apparently, they can help the police imagines it has, you’ve got more important things to with your case. Similarly, keep the bloodied articles Dominic Bùi Việt worry about: you’ve just been punched in the face! of clothing in case they’re needed, and wear them on

10 11 STUDIO STUDIO Burgette me not Feud for thought MICHAEL SUN AND JAYCE CARRANO / Taste Café’s new burger-baguette mashup in review PRANAY JHA / Can we criticise authenticity in a commodified rap world?

MS: I can count on one hand the number of times black, smiling against all odds. We didn’t get so MS: That’s an undoubtedly bold claim — to say a “And to be the Queen of Rap you gotta actually rap”. sidered to have emerged from both artists’ desires dom. Is criticism against Jay-Z and Minaj justified I have consumed a baguette from Taste Café. One far as the holy grail of Berlin’s nightlife for this few pieces of hamburger meat hastily shoved into As is the case with many hip-hop disputes, hos- to dominate the East-Coast hip-hop scene, following given rap music’s origins? was Portuguese Chicken, which had none of the article but the similarly named Burgette also left a bready pocket with miscellaneous salad vege- tility between the Nicki Minaj and Remy Ma began Biggie Smalls’ passing in 1997. The avid Nicki Minaj fan will point to the sexu- flair of the Portuguese and all the blandness of me with an identical sense of exclusion. My cu- tables and mustard possesses any sort of divine with a few ambiguous lines, prematurely dubbed a In this way, there are similarities in Remy and ally empowering nature of songs like ‘Anaconda’ to chicken; another was a tofu variation from the linary sensibilities weren’t patrician enough for quality is a stretch — but granted, Jayce is correct ‘battle’ by over-enthused fans. It didn’t take long for Nas’ narratives beyond a song title; two talented affirm her place in rap’s movement. Others will sug- fifth day of my five-day stint as a vegetarian. So this portmanteau of a burger and a baguette, and in the visual-gustatory disjunct that accompanies competing ambitions to transform what was an eas- albeit fading rappers are taking aim at their more gest the lyrics of her songs do not hold a candle to imagine my surprise when I noticed the sign on much like a Berghain hopeful, I was left dreaming the Burgette. If played correctly, it could’ve been ily avoidable conflict into an iconic feud. Tracks were commercially successful counterparts. Perhaps then, the provocative music of ‘The Golden Era’. The prob- Taste’s counter, loudly advertising a new Burgette. of better days. a sensory symphony that shocked and delighted. released, statements were made, and the rap indus- their criticisms of Nicki and Jay-Z for “trading [their] lem isn’t necessarily that adjudicating Minaj’s works Was this the Star of Bethlehem that would guide But make no mistake, this Burgette is no Blumen- try found its juicy new rivalry. However, months souls for riches” are more than just a fights between within the broader tension between authenticity my transformation from baguette heathen to ba- JC: Like an archetypal VICE contrarian, Michael thal: it’s a cacophony of ideas, all style over sub- later, following Remy’s incarceration in 2007, it ap- frenemies; they reflect a wider tension in the indus- and commodification is subjective and arbitrary. guette disciple? is denigrating what will undoubtedly become a stance. peared the row had been put to rest. Nicki took over try between commercialisation and traditionalism. Rather, in both cases, the legitimacy of hip-hop has popular masterpiece. Biting into the burgette was and didn’t look back, rising exponentially as one of To understand rap traditionalism, it is important been derived from commercial success. It is proba- JC: Sitting outside Taste next to the lawns with surreal. It was the same sensation I imagine Brit- JC: For those who relinquish their preconcep- hip-hop’s biggest artists. For the new generation of to understand the origins of rap. Rap music’emerged bly true that N.W.A or Tupac were subversive, but my Burgette, I felt like I was experiencing some ish B-list celebrities feel when they bite into Hes- tions, the Burgette offers not just substance but hip-hop fans, Remy Ma was, at best, a fading mem- from a powerful counter-cultural movement in their status as a metric for ‘true’ rap music is never- long-awaited family union. It was the amalga- ton Blumenthal’s egg and bacon ice-cream — a subsistance beyond traditional gastronomic pa- ory from a previous decade. 1960s New York. It acted as an empowering resist- theless tied to their commercial popularity. In such a mation of baguette and burger — two offshoots complete dissociation between sight and taste. A rameters. Like a platypus, its Frankenstein exist- That changed in April this year, following the re- ance to systems of capitalism and white hegemony, world, hip-hop is not rewarded for how empowering from the sandwich genealogical tree, each having deception as enticing as any white lie. It was a far ence — an unlikely fusion of seemingly disparate lease of her track ‘Shether’. On a surface level, the with street credibility being a defining element of or self-expressive it is, but rather how palatable it evolved from their shared sliced-bread ancestor cry from the usual Taste baguette which is merely bodies — fulfills a unique niche. If this creation six-minute song contains all the generic elements of the genre. can be to a predominantly white market”. through generations of sauces and fillings and a law student status symbol of slightly dry bread cannot unite the burger-scarfing bargain-hunters a diss track: attacks on Minaj’s appearance, cheeky A form of music that was initially ridiculed as a Jay-Z and Nicki Minaj have probably prioritised breads, one elongating while the other grew cor- and mostly damp salad. It had an identity of its of Manning and the Francophile misanthropes of double entendres using the names of her songs, and “mere fad”, rap music started to rise in popularity in their bank accounts over the authenticity of their pulently round. own. Taste, then nothing will. criticisms of her general street cred. the late 1980s and early 1990s, with many crediting records. However, perhaps our criticisms should be Remy’s song shares the same name and beat as the likes of Wu-Tang and N.W.A for putting hip-hop saved for a system that cares more for the profit at- MS: Unlike Jayce, I unfortunately failed to appre- fellow hip-hop artist Nas’ critically acclaimed ‘Ether’, on the map. Even in this era of commercial success, tached to Jay and Nicki’s names, and less for the ciate the evolutional serendipity underlying the Art: Michael Lotsaris which he released at the apex of his feud with Jay-Z. themes of racial and class oppression have contin- empowering nature of self-expression through rap. Burgette. Each passing bite merely confirmed my One of the most documented and discussed tensions ued to dominate the works of major east and west Tragically then, in order to be the “Queen of Rap”, desire to be eating a burger instead. in hip-hop, Nas and Jay-Z’s feud is generally con- coast artists, pushing the boundaries of artistic free- at some stage artists need to leave “real rap” behind.

JC: I think that there is an inherent sense of ad- venture in the Burgette. It isn’t for the tourist who Hey Gurl! Love your style takes the hop-on hop-off around Berlin, or even for the tourist who meets the locals. It’s for the GEORGIA TAN / SCA students explore the complexities of gender in the Gaffa’s latest offering tourist who has gritty sex with the locals on mat- tresses without sheets and sneaks out afterwards and varied use of lighting work particularly well to line up for Berghain. to create a captivating experience for viewers. The room is configured so that there is an immersive, MS: I once read a VICE article titled “Photos of darkly-lit space at the back to showcase large cin- People Who Didn’t Get into Berghain”. It featured ematic pieces, while the middle section offers dra- eleven pictures of nocturnal rejects clad in all matic lighting to highlight eye-catching suspended installations. Finally, the front area transitions to a softer, bright domestic vibe attained via clever ar- Behind the mask rangements of objects — a pair of telephones in the corner, photos framed on the walls, hanging jewel- HAL FAWLKES / Anonymity is, by its nature, resistant to analysis. Does it enhance music? lery and a rug on the floor — that mimic how or- naments could be arranged in a woman’s bedroom. Despite what Juliet Capulet may tell you, there is a ity as a means of artistic exploration. It adds to an faded into obscurity. Of particular intrigue are the pieces that explore lot in a name. For creative folk, a name is a unique artist’s appeal as they break away from the norm Maybe Klaatu would have enjoyed more suc- beauty through graphic absurdism. The photograph brand associated with one’s appearance, personality and engage both the visual and auditory imagina- cess as a virtual band — a type of musical group ‘Allure’ by Paraskevy Begetis succeeds in portraying and, sometimes, one’s artistry. An artist’s identity is tions of the listeners. Notoriously media-shy house that possesses a unique form of anonymity. Take a multi-layered, engrossing and empowering image. seemingly divided into two dimensions: their per- duo Daft Punk’s robotic costumes, for example, for example the most prominent virtual band: Go- The photograph captures Begetis as a spidery figure sonal identity, and the identity within the art they have become iconic. Similarly, KISS’ makeup sep- rillaz. An art project from Blur frontman Damon on all fours, donning red heels and wearing her self- create. arated themselves from other bands at the time. Albarn and Tank Girl artist Jamie Hewlett, Gorillaz Image: Views of the HEY GURL exhibition. Photography made, collage-like body suit crafted from her own Image: Ella Judd, A Girls Best Friend, 2017, ultrasound Thus, when an artist chooses to remain anony- When bands like Daft Punk, KISS or Slipknot are has the structure of an actual band down to the by Kimberley Peel. Photo-shopped body parts. The image is simultane- x-rays, sterling silver, 29.5 x 29.5 x 6 cm. mous — that is, not to disclose their personal iden- on stage, the artist dies and a character takes over. details. It has individual members with established ously powerful and scary; constructed with human tity, such as their real name or physical appearance The audience does not see Gene Simmons and his biographies, personalities and backstories. Exten- A few lanes away from the perpetually crowded hub- parts, yet when combined, evoking a rather inhu- Begetis. “I felt a hundred million times braver af- — it creates a disturbance. There is no longer a elongated, blood soaked tongue on stage, they see sive wiki entries chronicle a saga of band conflicts, bub of Town Hall lies a more discreet, quaint street man impression. ‘Allure’ was inspired by Begetis’ ter [creating ‘Allure’]. Putting my own body as the face to put to the music, no longer an identifiable The Demon. They see an inhuman personification adventures and recordings. Leading up to the al- parked with an eclectic mix of historic and modern fascination with the acts that women will commit object, and going out into public in it, has made me source of the art. The music itself becomes the per- of the music. Daft Punk become robots, creating bum Humanz, fans received updates on what each architecture. Founded by Aidan Li and Kelly Robson to promise themselves beauty and sexual attraction. grow into a different artist. I am able to embrace my sonality. Its emotion, tone and meaning form in music for their human audiences to hear. Slip- band member had been up to since Plastic Beach in 2006, Gaffa Creative Precinct is now housed in “My personal experiences dictate my work”, says own body and be braver about following ideas.” the listener’s minds a character to visualise as the knot become personifications of their own inner via Instagram. The purpose behind Gorillaz can be one of these striking Victorian-style buildings — spe- Gillian Kayrooz’s digital video ‘Mince’ further source of the art. demons, giving new meaning to their music. The summed up in one of their slogans: “Reject False cifically, the heritage-listed former Clarence Street contributes to HEY GURL’s disturbing and intriguing There are many reasons why an artist might artist behind the music becomes an object of spec- Icons”. Albarn and Hewlett created a multi-media City Police Station circa 1892. settings. With its furious red filter, ominous beats choose to remain anonymous, but one of the most tacle, rather than a shadow. Their stage identities critique of popular culture and celebrity status, Gaffa’s current exhibition HEY GURL, curated by and bold contrasting imagery, ‘Mince’ transforms common is to shine the spotlight on the music itself. even inspire the creation of fandoms, such as the encouraging people to think for themselves. This Kimberley Peel, began as a national open callout on the familiar environment of “female preparation” — Artists who have no performing identity to speak KISS Army or Slipknot’s Maggots. line was later expanded in the song ‘Rock It’ to say social media to emerging female-identifying artists, the kitchen and bathroom — into an eerie, dysto- of become solely defined by their music. British DJ Anonymity has another neat side-effect: gener- “Respect false icons, reject false icons,” establish- and has culminated in a diverse display of works by pian experience. “We forget how much time we lose Burial, who had remained anonymous since his de- ating a lot of (sometimes wildly inaccurate) buzz. ing that while listeners should respect artists and a select 20, including several Sydney College of the to the space and mindset of expectation and rou- but onto the underground techno scene in 2001, Some anonymous artists have found themselves the music they make, they should not see them as Arts and College of Fine Arts students. Through a tine”, Kayrooz muses. However, Kayrooz’s intention was famously outed in 2008. Upon his reveal, Bur- being ruthlessly harassed for their identity, amass- anything but humans. wide range of practices and media — spanning from to “[bring awareness] to the intricate pressures of ial, real name William Bevan, stated that he chose ing constant media attention and popularity in the The mask is a powerful tool. To cover up your jewellery to paper dolls to audio-visual installations female identity” could have been explored further: anonymity because he wanted “to be all about the process. Other anonymous artists have been mis- identity is to cover up the truth of your person. as well as more conventional media such as pho- her removal of the distinctive time structures that turns.” To artists like Burial, anonymity is a tool taken for undercover big shots. Canadian progres- Some artists create a whole new identity — a new tography and painting — HEY GURL explores the is- amplify the pressures on women to seek perfection to maintain focus on their work and to prevent it sive rock band Klaatu found this out the hard way. name or even fictional biography — becoming de- sues of gender equality and gender identity through leaves room yet for conformity to be challenged. being marred by any personal traits, particularly The band received moderate success for their 1976 fined purely by their actions and body of work. these artists’ lived experiences. Ultimately, HEY GURL’s aim of creating a support- the controversial. debut album 3:47 EST largely due to rumours that Anonymous artists can remove themselves from HEY GURL began with “being inspired by having ive space for emerging artists to test out their ideas However, anonymity does not need to extinguish the band were a Beatles side project. Maintaining their art, reinsert themselves into their art, or even the support of other women I [can] talk to”, Peel is pleasantly successful. As Peel emphasises, “the art- the personal identity of the musician. Often, the anonymity, Klaatu created a shroud of mystery, re- give their work a whole new dimension of mean- recollects. Her philosophy of creating this approach- ists’ ideas are always interesting, but really it is the artist alters their identity, creating a new stage per- fusing to name band members on records. When ing. An artist’s identity —whatever permutation of able and inclusive space at Gaffa is born to fruition way that they decide to execute that idea which is sona to accompany the music. There are a huge it was revealed that the Beatles had absolutely it they choose to use — is a critical part of their art. in this HEY GURL exhibition. Image: Part of the instillation at Gaffa Gallery. Pho- always different”. number of artists that employ this form of anonym- nothing to do with the band, Klaatu unfortunately Peel’s subtle arrangement of artwork in the space tography by Kimberley Peel.

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Under the old system, administrative issues, from her enrolment. She is still not entirely sure whether Hindson, Associate Dean (Education) at the Conserv- special consideration to enrolment to course trans- her subject choices were correct. atorium, the situation “is a lot better than we thought fers, were dealt with by the faculties. If you had a Not only has the University created a set of per- we were going to have — no in-person support at THE CENTRE CANNOT HOLD problem with your science enrolment, you spoke to verse incentives that encourage staff to palm queries the Conservatorium. The University Administration a science academic or to the science faculty itself. off to others rather than taking the time to resolve has taken on board our feedback regarding the im- Now all issues are handled by the Student Centre them immediately, the Deputy Vice Chancellor is portance of having someone on the ground here.” University management have centralised student services. in the Jane Foss Russell building, through the 1800 also unable to say how satisfied students are with In early versions of the SAS centralisation plan, SYD UNI number, or via generic email addresses. the outcomes of their interactions with SAS, because Conservatorium and Cumberland students would This transition is the culmination of a long-term pro- the University doesn’t ask students for that feedback. have been deprived of physical assistance with ad- Is their takeover working? cess that was first visible to students at the start of Carlin is mindful of this omission. “There are lots ministrative problems like their peers at SCA. As 2016 and is now largely complete. of sporadic instances where there’s an opportunity Hindson told Honi “It’s not like our students can As Carlin points out, the old system had its prob- for a student to provide feedback ... but I think it’s walk to the Student Centre to speak to someone — lems. First, the University was not gathering data absolutely not adequately systematised, and it needs they could, but it would take one hour each way.” on student experiences, impeding its ability to im- to be,” he says. “One of the things that I’ll be work- Parvarthi Subramaniam, Cumberland Student Guild prove over time. Second, it was inconsistent: facul- ing on ... is building in systems so that there is a President, emphasises that in morning traffic, even ties provided different levels of support, had varying much more systemic gathering of that data.” driving from Cumberland to main campus typically rules for similar situations, and interpreted the same The University’s decision to only seek student takes about an hour. University-wide rules in different ways. Third, it was feedback after radically changing student services is Carlin explains that the University’s reluctance to inefficient; students potentially had to apply for spe- reflected in the low number of students who feel in- have SAS staff on satellite campuses stemmed from cial consideration several times for different assess- cluded in the University’s decision-making. A USyd ments, even if the applications all stemmed from a survey document obtained by Honi bearing the ‘It’s not like our students single instance of illness or misadventure. branding of Colmar Brunton, an independent poll- Carlin emphasises that the University was not mo- ing company, notes that only 15 per cent of students can walk to the Student tivated by cost-saving. Instead, he describes the Uni- felt like they “have a voice at the University”. versity’s approach as “pragmatic” and “data-driven”. Centre to speak to some- Under Carlin’s leadership, the University has col- lected a wealth of information about student de- one — they could, but it mand for administrative services. “As we go forward, one of the great benefits of having gone through the For students at the Sydney Conservatorium of would take one hour process is that we have a capacity to finally start to Music, Cumberland Campus of Health Sciences and understand the landscape”, Carlin says. “You simply Sydney College of the Arts (SCA), structural prob- each way’ cannot deliver the best quality service if you don’t lems with SAS are set to be compounded by the have a handle on what students want and need”. University’s removal of permanent service counters But it is unclear how the University plans to get a from their campuses. Alice Morgan, Conservatorium a fear that there was insufficient demand. “The idea that there is a necessary relationship between where ‘The University unwittingly created a set of a student happens to be dominantly studying and the delivery of that services, I think is counterfac- perverse incentives that encourage staff to tual.” Because many administrative tasks can be completed by students themselves online, “there palm queries off to others rather than taking was a hypothesis that one staff member [on a satel- lite campus] was overdoing it”, according to Carlin. the time to resolve them immediately’ Only after significant pressure from staff and students, including a petition circulated by Morgan and SRC Education Officer Jenna Shroeder that gar- handle on what students need, considering it gath- Student Association President, describes Cedric nered over 500 signatures, did the University agree ers scant information about whether students are Poon, the former Student Administration Manager to reinstate a physical SAS presence on the satellite actually getting what they want. at the Conservatorium, as a beloved administrator campuses, albeit temporarily. In response to a freedom of information request, who knew individual students’ issues. “He could do “Admin services at main campus know nothing the University indicated that it does not have data literally anything [to help students]”, Morgan said. about music degrees,” Morgan says. She recounts the on issue resolution rates — that is, how many phone Poon has since been made redundant in the cen- story of another student studying at the Conservato- calls, emails or in-person enquiries it takes for a stu- tralisation process. Instead, students at the Conserv- rium who recently went to main campus seeking ad- dent to have their problem fixed. If a student calls atorium and Cumberland campus will have access to vice, only to have SAS suggest the student “go back a dozen times about the same issue, the University’s one support worker for just four hours a day, three to your Con admin staff and discuss this with them?” statistics treat this identically to successfully resolv- days a week from 24 July to 31 August. That support This knowledge gap seems to stem from the fact ing twelve different student problems. worker will only be able to resolve ‘Tier 1’ enquiries, that, as specialised institutions that were once in- At the same time, Honi understands that SAS staff which Morgan explains are merely “general enquir- dependent of USyd, the Faculty of Health Sciences face strict targets requiring them to reply to a cer- ies” that require no staff access to University systems. and Conservatorium run according to rules that are inbin Chen is a sixth year law student. He would tain number of emails and field a quota of phone The limited availability of support workers has unfamiliar to the centralised student services team. likely have been done in five, were it not for stu- calls every hour. If the University had wanted to en- already frustrated some Conservatorium students. Some information on these faculties is available dent services. In October 2016 Chen was unwell, courage its staff to provide advice fast, regardless of Nicky, a postgraduate music student, only com- through the University’s student self-help website, soX he applied for special consideration. Using the newly whether it actually helps the student receiving it, the mutes to campus when he has class on Thursdays, including on niche matters like a health sciences centralised system, he submitted special consideration SAS managers could scarcely have devised a better rendering the new service arrangement inaccessible. specific exchange program, but other material is applications for several assessments. He heard noth- set of incentives. By contrast, the Student Centre on main campus is missing. A search for ‘ensemble’ — a core type of ing back. USyd student Georgia Mantle weathered the con- staffed by multiple workers from 9am to 5pm, five class for many music degrees — on the Universi- A month later, Chen followed up with an email sequences. When Mantle transferred from a single to student services, who directed him to his lecturer. degree to a combined degree, she found contradic- ‘A USyd survey document notes that only 15 Chen’s lecturer sent him back to student services. “I tory information online about the social work com- felt like they were kicking the ball between them,” he ponent of her new double degree. “All I wanted to per cent of students felt like they “have a voice says. Frustrated and unwell, he gave up. Deputy Vice Chancellor (Registrar) Tyrone Carlin, know was ‘Do I need to enrol in a specific sociology More than four months later Chen’s special consid- who led the centralisation, acknowledges that stu- unit or can I do what I want’.” Unsure of what sub- at the University”’ eration applications were accepted, but in the mean- dents have experienced issues, but largely attributes ject to take, and concerned that an incorrect choice ty’s information portal provides no relevant results. time he was deemed to have failed the unit in ques- them to teething problems that do not represent a sys- could extend her degree, Mantle asked SAS what days a week, with longer hours during peak periods. While SAS staff have access to additional resources, tion. As an international student it cost him more than tem he argues is more efficient and transparent. subject she should take through the USyd ‘Contact This presents a clear inequity: students at the satel- many rely on the portal to answer queries. As a re- $5,000 to take the subject again, to say nothing of the SRC President Isabella Brook says this is the same Us’ web form. Mantle characterises the University’s lite campuses pay the same as other students, but sult, Morgan fears that Conservatorium students will lost earnings and additional living expenses Chen in- response the University has given to successive stu- response as “The information is there and you need they will receive a lower level of service. be left without anywhere to turn for information. curred as a result of having to extend his degree by dent representatives since they first began raising to make sense of it for yourself.” Students at the embattled SCA will not receive The difference in the availability of information six months. their concerns more than eighteen months ago. “I felt like I was being treated like an idiot,” she any in-person support. “We’re working that through between Health Sciences and the Conservatorium When his special consideration application was With a new semester starting, and another crop says, “I can read, I was just confused and stressed at the moment”, Carlin says. With the University pro- suggests that the University jumped the gun on cen- finally approved, Chen called the student hotline of students set to go through the Student Adminis- and that’s why it wasn’t clicking for me.” ceeding with its plans to shutter the SCA’s current tralisation, proceeding with a reduction in services number, 1800 SYD UNI, and told the operator about trative Services (SAS) process to change their units, Six emails later, including a formal degree as- home at Callan Park and bring a greatly reduced ver- at satellite campuses justified by the availability of his problem. He says the operator did not apologise courses and timetables, it is unclear if these problems sessment, and Mantle had still not received a clear sion of the institution to main campus, the removal of online and phone services, despite being told that for the University’s extreme delay, and instead asked are merely growing pains, or whether they indicate a Art: Rebekah Wright answer from the University. Unable to finalise her student services from Callan Park is another blow to those resources were not fully in place. “what do you want to do with that?” Defeated once change that was implemented with scant consultation Story: Nick Bonyhady enrolment for weeks while she corresponded with the institution and its students. again, Chen gave up. and prioritises efficiency over student wellbeing. the University, Mantle took a punt and confirmed Nonetheless, according to Professor Matthew

14 15 LONGER READ CREATIVE

The student centre at the Cumberland Campus of Health Sciences has been shut down and replaced with a solo temporary worker. Art: Rebekah Wright

At peak times on main campus, the Student Cen- stab-in-the-dark approach to resource planning,” alising for existing staff to be starting from scratch tre employs up to 60 people, but during the rest of Carlin says. “It’ll be much more data-driven”. As stu- every few months.” Indeed, the Union has recently semester it operates with a full-time skeleton staff dents have learned, however, it is not clear that the filed a formal dispute letter with the University over half that number. The difference is made up by University is collecting the right data. the “recruitment and management of staff in the casual staff, an employment strategy that lead to the According to one former faculty administrative Student Centre.” The letter alleges that, “Either the mass lay-offs which Honi reported on in September staff member who did not wish to be named, the Student Centre is making ad-hoc changes without 2016. Many of the casual staff at the Student Centre University’s decision not to re-hire staff it has already the required consultation or management has no are current USyd students or recent graduates. trained leads to a wealth of institutional knowledge understanding of its own workforce.” Since then, Honi can confirm that there have been being lost with each cycle. The University and NTEU will be meeting with two more rounds of lay-offs, one at the end of April This has been compounded by the departure of each other on the issues surrounding the Student and another at the end of May, as other groups of several experienced staff members. According to an Centre as they simultaneously negotiate a new en- casuals came to the end of their contracts. internal University document, the positions of the terprise bargaining agreement. In the meantime, According to the National Tertiary Education Un- Arts, Business, Engineering and IT, and Conservato- students like Chen and Mantle will continue to grap- ion (NTEU), which represents University staff, in rium student administration managers were made ple with the consequences of frequently overworked May “30 more casuals worked for two weeks with- redundant in the centralisation. Of the five former and under-resourced staff. out getting paid on time because their contracts managers, at least three have now left the Univer- were not extended, only then to find out two weeks sity, taking with them years of experience in the op- later that they would get no further work. Days later, eration of the faculties whose student administra- the same positions were advertised even though 19 tion they once managed. people had made an expression of interest for fur- Mantle believes she received poor advice be- While Chen was struggling to get an answer to his ther work.” cause of the University’s hiring practices and deci- special consideration, the focus of SAS management One former staff member told the NTEU: “We were sion to centralise SAS. “It’d be really hard to have was elsewhere. According to the NTEU, in 2016 the guaranteed full-time hours, with continuous verbal to get your head around all those degrees and all University was attempting to stop its Student Centre rhetoric of overtime work available for months to the different requirements, because there are a lot. staff from wearing shorts to work. come. These were casuals who had forfeited other Whereas if you work in the Arts faculty, you can The centralisation of student services has had employment offers because of this promise ... It is know everything there is to now about Arts, within some benefits for students: dictionaries and calcula- such a shame that the great memories I’ve had as an reason.” The University lists well over a hundred dif- tors for exams are approved rapidly; enrolment can undergraduate student here at the University have ferent undergraduate and honours courses online, be completed online; wait times for credit approval been tainted by the experiences I’ve had at the Stu- almost all of which have different rules that are reg- have gone down. The simple stuff works, but it has dent Centre.” ularly updated. come at a cost. Road blocks have been erected be- Honi attempted to contact several Student Centre Carlin says student services employs more people tween students and experienced academic advisers, managers, but was referred back to Carlin, who be- than it did in the past, and justifies current staffing frontline staff are incentivised to provide unhelpful lieves that the high rates of turnover in the Student levels on the basis that every dollar spent on student advice, and it is tougher for students on satellite Centre partly reflect administrative staff members’ services “is a dollar that is not available to advanc- campuses to get help with their degrees. Students desire to move to more advanced roles in the work- ing the student experience and student education”. with complex queries are struggling to have their force. “In these sorts of roles generally, you observe While Associate Professor Kurt Iveson, NTEU Syd- queries resolved. The challenge for the University is the same thing. That’s always a challenge of dealing ney Branch President, would doubtless like to raise to keep resolving simple queries quickly while fixing Appropriation has become a hot topic in recent history — a battleground between ownership and exclusion. But what does it mean when it with this type of work.” He also concedes that the the staffing levels at the Student Centre, his more its flawed approach to complicated problems. Given occurs in art? This postmodern appropriation of Katsushika Hokusai’s ‘Amida Waterfall on the Kisokaido Road’ (1827) by has been stripped University has struggled to plan for demand prop- immediate concern is that the University’s hiring SAS management’s fascination with legwear, when of the original’s lively depicition of nature. Vibrant colours become stark black and whites; what once was a picnic between three men becomes erly. “As the process matures, we’ll see less of the and firing cycle is “incredibly inefficient, and demor- that will happen is anyone’s guess. HS a solemn party of one. Such is the nature of ‘borrowed’ art — so should we celebrate the meaning it brings or resist it?

16 17 ARCHIVES THE LAB A brief ‘How fucked are we really?’ history of the KRISTI CHENG / How we think about environmental catastrophe requires a philosophical change “So, how fucked are we really?” being “sustainable,” we should ask ourselves what world, and the need to imagine a new way of living, That was the question two panellists joked should it is that we want to sustain. We would then realise resonates deeply. After watching the ABC’s recent Chancellor’s have been the name of this month’s sustainabili- that we need radical transformation in the way we War on Waste program, I felt hopeful and encour- ty-themed Outside the Square, which was instead think, act, and make new structures. aged by the uptake on reusable coffee cups and in- titled “Are Humans the Only Beings that Matter? One part of this is rethinking the idea of the indi- creased effort to reduce food waste. I couldn’t help Garden How To Be Sustainable: Perspectives from the Envi- vidual. To Schlosberg, the systems and laws in our but feel, however, apprehensive about the longev- ronmental Humanities”. world are so based on the idea of the individual that ity of this enthusiasm. How long will it be until the SIOBHAN RYAN / The Vice Chancellor’s This was never a panel to teach us how to live a ze- we have forgotten that the individual doesn’t exist appeal of convenience trumps the desire to reduce Garden’s ugly step-sister has more of a ro-waste life, or start our own veggie garden, or how outside of the systems we live within. Change means waste, and how long until the urge to shop cheap to recycle and upcycle. What it did do was encourage looking at the system holistically, reconnecting with and fast fashion makes us forget the ethics behind history than you might expect us to step back and understand the shortcomings of the landscape and the flow of materials through its creation? We desperately need an overhaul of these initiatives in an age of environmental crisis, as communities, following the supply chain, and re- current systems of production and distribution. If you’ve ever walked through the Vice Chancellor’s Professor David Schlosberg, Dr Astrida Neimanis, and membering the geographical locality and seasonal As Mann pointed out, we’re often told we have Garden, you would remember it. Dr Alana Mann gave us reasons as to why these meas- nature of crops. There is a sense of stewardship: you the power to speak with our wallets, and that con- Though you might not know its name, the court- ures are prohibitive for many, given the systems and work in a cooperative relationship, not an exploita- sumption is agency. What remains unsaid, then, is One of the unsuccessful designs, by O’Mahoney, Neville and Morgan, Architects. yard — tucked between the north-west corner of structural barriers that exist in our lives. tive relationship, and only by achieving such sym- that structural elements exist which inevitably pre- Courtesy of University of Sydney Archives. the Quadrangle and Science Road — is surrounded To start examining the relationship between na- biosis can we understand how to solve the environ- vent us — and particularly those who are disadvan- by sandstone walls and lushly planted with camel- ture and culture, Schlosberg reminded us that the mental challenges of today. taged — from modifying our shopping patterns for lias and azaleas. It was designed by Professor Leslie cloisters and western tower (the Quadrangle was space, despite its function as a thoroughfare. The issue isn’t that there isn’t enough science, or that Relating these concepts to recent developments the better of the environment and people involved. Wilkinson, the University’s then architect who was built in four different stages), and the Committee sandstone benches provide a relaxing, albeit hard, the science isn’t good enough. Rather, the crux of in the real world, an audience member brought up There needs to be structural change so that the farm- also tasked with completing the Quadrangle, and at one point having a “general feeling of approval place to sit. And at dusk, if viewed at just the right the problem is that having good science doesn’t au- Coles and Woolworths’ announcement to phase out ers and businesses who are attempting to address landscaped by Professor Eben Waterhouse, the same of a fountain”. By May 1965, they’d decided on “a angle, the glowing yellow lights of Fisher reflect off tomatically mean good policy will follow. With the plastic bags. While it’s a step in the right direction, systematic issues in the product value chain are able guy who planted the jacaranda. It’s considered so sunken garden with cascading waterway and shrubs the puddles and contrast with the green of the grass humanities and social sciences, he said that we can Schlosberg pointed out that plastic bags are a very to remain viable. As individuals, we should exercise significant that the NSW Office of Environment and on the northern side of the new Fisher Library”. in a way that is almost beautiful. hope to look to alternative ways of thinking and of small part of the food value chain. More inspiring the little bit of control we have in supporting farm- Heritage gave it a heritage listing. However, between 1965 and now, looking at our relationship with human and non-hu- than a simple bag ban are those who imagine new ers and businesses trying to enact structural change, The Chancellor’s Garden, on the other hand? Like the idyllic promise of a trickling man beings. ways of living. The City of Detroit, for example, in- remembering that higher level change comes from most students, I didn’t realise the University even stream and lush greenery somehow To this end, Neimanis suggested that the social tervened in the food system to fix food insecurity, all directions; at the grassroots level as well as the had one, though I’d been walking through it every became a boggy patch of grass. sciences can help us imagine a different way of unlike the City of Sydney’s individualistic approach. decision making level. day for two-and-a-half years. Those more observant By November, the Committee had living. Our imaginations have given us things like Detroit provided an incubator for new businesses One of the aims of the Outside the Square series than me might recognise it as the boggy patch of finally received approval from the science fiction, which provides examples of an en- coming out of vulnerable communities to provide is to change the way we think. This session certainly grass on the north side of Fisher Library. It’s not ex- Senate Buildings and Grounds Com- vironmental future that can be both dystopian and food, to create different flows of food through a changed the way I thought about our capacity to actly a secret, given an inscription on the sandstone mittee after a five month delay and entail radical new ways of living — realities which community, to work and train together, and to build bring about change, and gave us more ideas to con- wall naming it as such. But apart from this feature, had commissioned three architects are already being lived out by certain communities a new community around a new food system that sider than straight-forward answers. Hopefully, in the garden seems entirely unremarkable. So how to submit designs. The brief called around the world. But we can do more with imagi- addresses food insecurity. the not-too-far future, the ideas discussed will help did it come into existence? for simple designs that reflected nation: it enables us to map out how we will arrive The need for a transformation in the way we change the way we act, and the way that systems Fisher’s architecture — at that point at these new ways of living. Instead of focusing on see ourselves as part of the human and non-human operate, so that we can be, well, less fucked. minus the stacks, which weren’t completed until the late 1970s, de- spite the University predicting they USyd partners with China’s “Daddy of Robots” would be complete in 1966. The architects also had to retain all the NATASSIA CHRYSANTHOS / The University’s latest corporate partnership wants to put a robot in your home within a decade existing trees, and the design had to be able to be constructed for under The University of Sydney has partnered with China’s cleaning and other house works in the future, but it £10,000. biggest robot maker, UBTECH Robotics, in a $7.5mil- may take at least five years for common use. THE FIGURES The adjudicators disappointingly lion collaboration to create the UBTECH Sydney Arti- “We’re aiming to maximise profits and assure we rejected one design that included ficial Intelligence Centre, within the Faculty of Engi- have the necessary investments to further the ad- 540 – the number of UBTECH bipedal two long pools of water. This was a neering and Information Technologies. vancement of robotic technologies.” bold suggestion given that the brief According to Professor Dacheng Tao, a renowned To improve the robots’ various functions — such humanoid robots breakdancing simultaneously basically discouraged including water because of researcher in Artificial Intelligence (AI) who is lead- as image processing, voice recognition, motion 29 – the number of drones that sprinkled “problem[s] associated with keeping the basins, ing the centre, it “will drive progress in AI to endow control, navigation, balancing, and GPS locating channels or pools free from extraneous matter”. machines with the capabilities to perceive, learn, — UBTECH is “collaborating with the most distin- them in glitter at the end of their performance They also rejected another that would have ex- reason and behave.” guished scientists and laboratories.” tended the area by raising the sloped part to a flat UBTECH is a key player in China’s consumer ro- The USyd partnership is part of this project: it is a 148 – the duration of the dance in seconds patch of grass, and went with the design we have to- botics push — it is amongst a number of Chinese centre that will focus on solving major problems in AI, day, by USyd architecture graduate Richard Clough companies devoted to developing bipedal (two- although the commerical intention is still prevalent. Tao 1 – the number of Guinness World Records and John Lascelles. In his role at the National Capi- footed, human-like) robots for service, education says that the centre is “working towards a future where set for ‘most robots dancing simultaneously’ tal Development Commission, Clough landscaped a and entertainment. humanoid robots walk out of our research centre and number of major sites in Canberra, including Lake UBTECH is also a so-called ‘unicorn’ — a startup into ordinary people’s households.” 4 – the number of months before the record Burley Griffin. His design for the memorial centred valued at over $1 billion. It’s currently working to- This is congruent with the pipe dream of Zhou, on a “quiet, simple and dignified character” and the wards a $5 billion valuation, which would make it who, according to Forbes, described himself as “A was usurped by 1,007 dancing robots adjudicators liked its relative simplicity and integra- the most valuable robotics company in China. Daddy of Robots”. tion with the surrounding architecture. The company already has numerous partnerships “My target is that, in five to ten years, I will make 7,500,000 – the number of dollars this As with all things at the University, the construc- with technology giants around the world, including the first commercialised real life size humanoid, 1.5 company has invested in a USyd partnership tion process was slow after difficulty raising funds Apple, Amazon, Disney and Samsung. metres or 1.6 metres, serving families,” Zhou told from the graduates. It was eventually opened in a A key aspect of UBTECH’s pitch is its commercial- China Money Network. ceremony on March 22, 1968, by which time Bicker- isation: it sets itself apart by designing and selling “For example, when you come back home, there’s One of the unsuccessful designs (feat. pools!) by ton Blackburn was nearly 94. its robot products to a consumer market, and seeks a robot waiting for you asking ‘are you tired?’ I CS Garth. Nowadays, it’s hard to see the garden’s “simple to become the global leader in the field. At present, think he is more like a family member, not just a and dignified character”. it has 70 per cent of the global small size humanoid robot. Maybe she can even be my girlfriend. I mean In December 1964, the President of the Standing In what was likely a cost-cutting measure, the robot market. everything is possible.” Committee of Convocation (now far less preten- sandstone paving and steps Clough included in his It intends to bring family robots into the average UBTECH attracted attention last year when it Top: Richard Clough and John Lascelles’ success- tiously known as the Alumni Council) suggested a design were replaced with concrete. The tree the household within a decade, in the same fashion that broke the world record for “most ro- ful sketch design for the Chancellor’s Garden (mi- project funded by graduates as tribute to 90-year- University insisted be retained casts almost constant cars once transitioned from luxury to the everyday. bots dancing simultaneously” on China’s nus bog) / Bottom: Two people enjoying the Chan- old Chancellor Sir Charles Bickerton Blackburn, shade over much of the grass, which struggles to James Zhou, UBTECH’s founder, says that most-watched TV show. Whether gim- cellor’s Garden in the successful sketch design (it who was retiring after a 23-year term — the longest grow. The grass is often cordoned off with fluoro UBETCH’s robots “could be your fitness coach, in- micks like this align with the University’s is unclear if the activities depicted in this image in the University’s history. ropes, and obscured by a ‘smoke-free campus’ sign terpreter, business assistant, storyteller or weather- intention to “solve real-world problems have ever eventuated) The vague ‘project’ went through several different (though the area is still very popular with smokers). man.” that are needed to improve people’s iterations, with Bickerton Blackburn first asking that When it rains, it becomes a bog. “Service robots will play an important role in kids’ lives” through this partnership, as per its All images courtesy of the University of Sydney Archives the money to go towards finishing the Quadrangle’s However, there is a quiet peacefulness to the education, daily companion, senior caring, home PR statement — time will tell.

18 19 SRC CASEWORKERS Caution: Payday Loans The lure of getting cash as quickly as an hour after you BUY apply should be considered in the sobering light of the interest rates or charges.

Payday loans or Small Amount Loans found effects on your financial health are a quick way to get cash, especially for many years. for those without a good credit rating. BOOKS For the vast majority of situations they There are better alternatives. You are absolutely horrendous, and should could negotiate with your utility pro- be avoided. The lure of getting cash vider (electricity, gas, telephone) to as quickly as an hour after you apply give you a hardship plan that will al- should be considered in the sobering low you to pay in installments. In some light of the interest rates or charges. situations you may also be able to get CHEAP Different loans have different condi- some vouchers to pay some of the bill. tions. Some promote that they have no You might be able to get an interest free charges, but charge an interest rate of loan through the University’s Financial up to 48%. Others do not charge inter- Assistance Unit. If you are on a Centre- est, but instead charge an account man- link payment you might be able to get Buy for 70% agement fee that is the equivalent of at an advance payment. least 48%. There may also be ways to spend less of retail value* Debt consolidation loans are almost money each week. For example, there always financially treacherous. There are many services around the University are many fees and charges that are im- that provides cheap or free food, med- posed, with little opportunity for your ical services, and other similar types repayments to actually reduce your of services. Talk to an SRC caseworker loan. Debt consolidation companies about what options you might have. have been known to sign people into an SELL act of bankruptcy, which can have pro- Ask Abe SRC caseworker HELP Q&A BOOKS The Ask Abe column allows you to ask whatever question you might have that affects you as a student, gaining the best advice that a very worldly mutt* can give. Have you ever submitted UNDERGRADUATE AMST1001 Dear Abe, something without Global America FOR Living in Sydney with a pet can be I love dogs. I’d like to get a dog, but my challenging. There is a shortage of AMST2606 Stand Up USA: American lease says I’m not allowed. But dogs homes, so landlords can be very fussy thinking it through? Comedy and Humour are super cute, and I’m really good about who they select as tenants. This with them, and I reckon I could have means that people with pets will find it It’s ok, there are some things you can undo. It’s not too AMST3601 American Perspectives one and the landlord wouldn’t know. difficult to find a home, and may have CASH My girlfriend thinks this is a bad idea. to pay more for rent to be able to find late to log on to Sydney Student and change your subject What do you think? somewhere to live. Bear in mind that USSC2603 Americanism and preferences before the August 11th final enrolment date. this is for the lifetime of the pet, which Anti-Americanism Highest cashback Dog Lover could easily be ten or fifteen years. United States Studies Centre subjects have twice won the Vice USSC2604 Sex, Race and Rock in the USA As a dog lover there a few other things Dear Dog Lover, you can do. Most rescue services will Chancellor’s Award for Teaching, and it’s easy to see why. Our let you visit their dogs, allowing them updated curriculum covers everything from Trump’s America to rate on campus! It is a terrible idea. Being a dog owner to get used to being around people, rock n’ roll, and memes and comedy. Our units can be taken is a commitment for the life of the dog. and helping them to alleviate their At some point of living there, or at your boredom. Some services will also al- in most degrees from Arts to Engineering, and fill out majors POSTGRADUATE Get 40% of retail next home, the landlord will find out low you to walk the dogs, giving their from Government and International Relations to Music. through a neighbour telling them, or body and their brains much needed ex- USSC6903 US Foreign and National seeing something at an inspection, or ercise. This way you can have all of the Security Policy some other random way. That will mean fun and cuddles without the cost and PLUS students that enrol in two or more USSC or AMST value paid in CASH!* that you have breached your lease and responsibility. coded units in a single semester get a FREE 10-week you will have to “remedy” that. That is, USSC6907 American Exceptionalism you will have to get rid of the dog, e.g., Abe Spanish course from the Centre for Continuing Education.* * Conditions apply, see details in store through a rescue service, which will ei- USSC6914 Key Issues in American Culture ther rehome or euthanise your dog; or Muy atentamente, The United States Studies Centre. you will have to move home.

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Welcome back to semester two! I hope new President of the SRC and the next dustrial action, including potential university to ensure that there are ad- 89th Students’ you’ve all had a relaxing and refresh- editors of Honi Soit as well as electing strike action. Your SRC will be joining equate support mechanisms in place. ing winter break. The SRC has been your 90th SRC council and delegates them in a protest at 12pm to show that With the release of this survey univer- working hard over the break helping to the National Union of Students. If students stand in solidarity with staff sities will no longer be able to hide Representative Council, students with academic appeals and you’ve ever wanted to get more in- and will support them in strike action. from the dangers that students face on I’ve spoken at a number of semester volved in the SRC this is your chance. Finally, by the time this edition of campus. They will no longer be able to two orientation events to make sure You can visit srcusyd.net.au/elections/ Honi is on stands the Australian Hu- cover up rape and silence survivors in University of Sydney new students know all about the SRC. for more information. man Rights Commission will have order to protect their own branding. Criminal Charges There are three big things coming up Second, the National Union of Stu- published the results of their national Students from across NSW will be for the SRC in the first couple of weeks dents has called a National Day of Ac- survey into sexual assault on univer- protesting on August 2nd at 2pm out- of semester two. tion for Tuesday 8 August. On this day sity campuses. The SRC acknowledges side fisher library to demand an end Firstly, nominations for the SRC’s Sydney University teachers and work- that this may be a difficult time for to sexual assault and harassment at Motor Vehicle Accidents annual elections are officially open. ers in the National Tertiary Education survivors of sexual assault and we universities. Fines These elections will determine the Union will be meeting to vote on in- have been working closely with the DATE: 2nd August General Secretaries’ Report TIME: 6–8pm Insurance Debts DANIEL ERGAS and ISABELLA PYTKA LOCATION: Immigration Cast your mind back to the first week ditions over the next couple of years. Now, here’s what you can (and there will be a rally to Protest Rape on ...and more of first semester. Thumbing through 2. What they’re fighting for isn’t will!) do about it. At 12pm on August Campus. As you’ll read about from our Honi as you nursed your Tsingtao™ just about them. Their working con- 8 outside Fisher Library, the staff un- Women’s Officers below – who have The Refectory hangover, you stumbled upon this ditions are your learning conditions. ion (the National Tertiary Education been working overtime building this If You Have a Legal Problem, humble report. For some reason, you If your teachers aren’t paid fairly, Union, NTEU) will be holding a rally protest, and bringing women’s collec- read it. And now, for some reason (lit- or given enough time to teach your to show the University management tives all across the state together for (Quadrangle) We Can Help for FREE! erally, why) you’re back. classes and mark your assessments, that there is serious and sustained it – given the appalling indifference While we have you here, we have it’s the quality of your education that support for their demands. As stu- of our Uni administration, we need to three things you need to know (and will suffer most. dents, we need to be there too. Come force them to act. It’s not good enough one thing you then need to do): 3. We can do something about it. along, make a placard, and show your that our reporting systems are so inad- We have a solicitor 1. At the moment, your staff – your It’s not good enough to say that it’s not support for our staff. equate, allowing rapists and abusers 法律諮詢 法律アドバイス who speaks Cantonese, tutors, your lecturers, and your library our problem. Staff support us every But before you go to that march, to stay on campus, untouched. Again, w: src.usyd.edu.au Level 1, Wentworth Bldg, University of Sydney Mandarin & Japanese p: 02 9660 5222 | w: src.usyd.edu.au staff – are negotiating with the Univer- single day, often far above and beyond this Wednesday (which is likely today, it’s up to us to do something about it. p: 02 9660 5222 Liability limited by This service is provided e: solicitor @ src.usyd.edu.au a scheme approved to you by the Students’ under Professional Representative Council, sity chancellery. They’re negotiating what could be reasonably expected of if you’re reading this as Honi is distrib- See you then! ACN 146 653 143 | MARN 1276171 Standards Legislation. University of Sydney for their wages, super, and work con- them. It’s up to us. uted!) at 2pm outside Fisher Library

Wom*n’s Officers’ Report IMOGEN GRANT and KATIE THORBURN

On Tuesday 2 August, the Australian mental health and ability to fully par- the survivor and/or perpetrator grad- entirely insufficient – a note on file, a Human Rights Commission (AHRC) ticipate in university life. Despite hav- uate, failing to remove a perpetrator $55 fine or a written apology. are revealing the results of a large ing a very clear duty to provide a safe from a survivor’s class, failing to com- This has gone on long enough. Stu- scale national survey into sexual as- and non-discriminatory environment municate to the survivor during the dents deserve better. sault in educational communities. The for students, many universities see investigation or the outcome of the What can I do? results will be damning. the issue of sexual assault as a matter proceeding, and refusing to sanction JOIN US at 2pm Wednesday 2 Au- The 2015 NUS ‘Talk About It’ sur- solely for the police. Don’t be fooled perpetrators or issuing them with in- gust outside Fisher Library for the vey found that 72% of students had - this is a lie and a method universi- adequate punishments. Over the past ‘Protest Rape on Campus - Break the experienced sexual harassment on ties use to avoid their responsibility to 5 years, 575 complaints into sexual Silence. End Sexual Violence’ rally and campus and 27% had experienced as- support survivors and prevent sexual assault and harassment were lodged make clear that everyone deserves an sault. Sexual assault is a fundamental assault in university communities. at universities – only 6 resulted in ex- education free of sexual violence. FB abuse of a person’s bodily autonomy At USyd, and across the uni sector, pulsion. Most perpetrators receive no event: https://www.facebook.com/ and can greatly impact a student’s we see unis dragging out cases so that punishment at all, but if they do it’s events/214658329058347

When does your student visa run out? It is your responsibility to ensure that you comply with all your student visa conditions, especially the length of stay allowed under your visa entitlement. You can find out about all the applicable visa conditions and your visa expiry date using the online service (Visa Entitlement Verification Online – “VEVO”) on the Department of Immigration and Border Protection website. Use this URL: https://online.immi.gov.au/evo/firstParty When accessing this online service, you will need your passport number and other identification details which can be found on the visa grant email sent by the Department. If you are not sure how to use VEVO or have trouble with this online service, you can get FREE help from the SRC registered migration agent by contacting 9660 5222. Make sure you put the visa expiry date in your calendar and remember to NOT overstay your visa! Overstaying leads to serious legal consequences which in some situations may require you to leave Australia immediately and you will not be able to come back again for 3 years.

Level 1, Wentworth Bldg, University of Sydney p: 02 9660 5222 | w: src.usyd.edu.au e: [email protected] 22 ACN 146 653 143 | MARN 1276171 RUMPUS ROOM REGULARS

Italian Quick What to listen to 32. Working 13. One who conducts business being accused 33. Leave 15. Rich people have this when 35. Big ass bird 17. John Connor’s mum 36. Police department 21. Sheep noise of dual citizenship 38. Discharge 23. Nautical navigation technology . 40. Lease 24. Muse of history 42. Sesame, Elm, and Baker are examples 25. Restaurant entertainment 43. Soak 26. Mode of persuasion 1. Down Under 45. Reverberated 27. Notice 47. Spain domain 28. Non-white person Men at Work 49. Applications 29. Non-wiseness 51. amo, amas, ____ 30. Found on the floor of bathrooms 2. Borders 52. Ignore this person 33. Second-hand 54. Proponent of democracy 34. In French? M.I.A. 56. Weight of a precious stone 37. Spay 57. Milk 39. Not you 3. I Am Australian 58. Late 41. Excretion from the lacrimal gland 60. Comes in hard or soft form 44. Entice The Seekers/ 62. Average 46. Bland-tasting grain 63. Present time 48. One of The Clash’s two options QANTAS 64. Symbol for Copper 50. Malcolm Turnbull is afraid of this Orrizontali 66. Russian currency 52. Forbidden by Islamic law 4. This Land is Your 69. Contains 55 Down, is drunk in 14 Across 53. Alien 1. Australian actor, Eric 71. Conclusion 55. Pretty much the same thing as 24 Across Land 5. May starsign 72. Sanctuary 56. Hat 11. sum, es, ___ 73. Sounds like 59 Down 59. Sounds like 73 Across Woody Guthrie 14. Country this crossword is from 61. Sick 16. Gas giant Verticali 63. Chinese energy force 5. Blame Canada 18. Type of logic gate 65. Malcolm Roberts wants Australia to leave this 19. Refusal 1. Annoying search engine organisation South Park Cast 20. Taxi 2. Tax authority 67. Written and Directed __ George Lucas 22. Lean 3. Not applicable 68. Britain wants to leave this organisation 6. Kiwi 24. Pretty much the same thing as 55 Down 4. Famous tax evader who wore a cool hat 70. Symbol for Calcium 25. French car maker 6. Symbol for Gold Harry Styles 27. One of the first Greek letters 7. Where some people end up after they die 28. Beauty contests 8. Sun god 7. Torn 29. Ignoramus 9. Not racist? In April 8 1997, Honi Soit had different 30. Mr Burns’s beloved teddy bear 10. Zack & Cody lived this life Natalie Imbruglia politics. 31. Worst Facebook reaction 12. Not the symbol for Sodium

Italian crossword, target and sudoku by CloudRunner. The Camperdown Public Chatterbox

#fluffyduckfriday Chambord would’ve been relatively cheap though Target — most students could get around its $33 price Sudoku tag at Dan Murphy’s. It seems though, that the Patron was preferred. Carlin tags @kg355 — an Target Rules: account that appears to belong to another GSRM Minimum 5 letters per word. 5 words: ok, staff member — and writes “we need another 10 words: good, 15, very good, 20 words: ex- bottle on your way back”. Another photo on her cellent. Solution in next week’s Honi. Instagram from the same date features an empty Patron bottle and the caption “whoops”. Indeed. Solutions from Week 13: INSIDIOUS sinusoid sounds iodins nodus sound nidus Michelle Carlin heads up the University’s Global ouds Student Recruitment and Mobility (GSRM) port- duos folio. It’s her job to lure the best and brightest nods students to USyd — especially international stu- sods dents, upon whom the University is financially suds dependent. Presenting a good public image is udos a big part of her job. For the most part, that’s duns what her public Instagram profile does: there One horse race diss are images of meet and greets with prospective nisus students, as well as a glimpse into the perks of #fluffyduckfriday, despite the coxcomb on the suit It looks like there’s only one ticket going for Honi sinus her role: plentiful overseas trips. There is also, clearly indicating that it is a chicken. Twitchers will next year. Andrew Rickert, Nick Harriott, Zoe Sto- dins bizarrely, a series of photos from February 3 in be outraged. janovic-Hill, Alison Xiao, Cam Gooley, Lamya Rah- dons which Carlin is pictured with a person in a chicken On the same date, Carlin posted several other man, Bianca Davino and Elijah Abraham are all doss suit on what appear to be University premises. It photos of expensive alcohol: Silver Patron and rumoured to be running together. Without any op- sins is not clear whether the person inside the suit is Chambord. In each photo, Carlin tagged #gsrm — position, this election could be utopian compared onus a University staff member or a paid entertainer. the name of the program she leads. A one litre bottle to last year, when three tickets contested the race. ions What is known is that Carlin tagged the images of Patron costs over $100 at most bottle shops. The We’re jealous. sons

24 25 Gotham City crime 12 quick tips to start Groundbreaking Surry rate plummets to building your hot Hills cafe uses things all time record low summer body today that aren’t cups as cups. Mayor: “Introducing the death pen- Top cemeteries for body parts, how to alty for supervillains really worked. fasten flesh to bone, and animating Culture Should have done it earlier.” P3» your creation on a budget. P8» P11» Nick Harriott

Anti-fascists worry end of global warmonger- ing would result in lack of army surplus clothes for their aesthetic Biblical burning bush Non-drinker attempts to fit in at house Jamie Weiss planted in University of Political Reporter party by claiming he feels super drunk Sydney’s Quadrangle on having ‘really underslept’ Oliver Moore Education Reporter ‘I send an envelope of semen to the World Aidan Molins it wasn’t working.” Nightlife reporter Darvis reportedly spent the majority of his Seed Bank every few months, but they time at the event asking various guests how much drugs and alcohol they had consumed. Devoid of actual drugs and alcohol in his Although Darvis attempted to feign ambiv- won’t confirm that they’ve received it’ bloodstream, a local 19-year-old took to des- alence at their response, information from perate measures to fit in at a house party in multiple partygoers suggests a bigger story. Ann Ding stored in gene banks worldwide. Sydney’s Lane Cove on Friday night. Reports indicate the teen engaged in uncon- Moretti explains that he came across the The teenager, Matthew Darvis, explained vincing enthusiastic nodding and subtle facial Environmental reporter seed vault while researching ways of saving throughout a number of short conversations shifts after hearing about their behavior. up his own seed. with fellow partygoers that although he hadn’t Gestures such as these point towards ve- Thomas Moretti is a bachelor. At 23, he’s still “I thought, if they can keep thousands of consumed any alcohol or illicit substances he hement hostility to the activities undertaken looking — for the one, for his other half, for copies of plant genetic information, surely was feeling a state of inebriation due to “only as a somewhat inherent part of the event he Protestor, Ember Paul, shows off his new outfit. someone to grow old with. But he’s painfully they have room for me as well. That’s when I getting a few hours of sleep last night”. chose to attend. aware he hasn’t got much time. started sending the samples.” “Yeah this thing is going off hey. Every- Darvis’s small talk continued for several Peace in our time and the complete cessation “I started to worry about potentially not Moretti walks me through his process. one’s getting off their face, and like, me too hours until he retired to his phone for the re- of worldwide conflict would have unforeseen being able to continue the family line about First, he jacks off into a zip-lock bag. Then, hey. I went to bed at like 2 AM last night. I’m mainder of the night. consequences for local anti-fascist activists, two years ago,” he tells me while scooping the ensuring he has pressed all the air out of the like, so delirious.” Darvis explained to Rebec- “I thought he might have been texting who have reservations about the dismantling foam off his cappuccino. “I know technically bag (“to prevent oxidation”, he advises), he ca Eckert, who was ‘peaking’ on her second someone, because he had both hands on his of the fascist military-industrial complex. men can continue producing sperm well into seals it and places it inside a padded airmail MDMA capsule at the time. phone as if he was typing.” One partygoer Global armistice and harmony would in- middle and old age, but the jizz you produce in envelope. Finally, he affixes a label bearing “To be honest I wasn’t really listening,” noted. “But when I walked around him to go evitably result in the dissolution of national your prime must surely be prime jizz.” the address of the seed bank and the form Eckert explained. “I was more just feeling the to the bathroom, I saw he was actually just This tree is a long way from Mount Horeb. armies and evaporation of the need for mili- Moretti contacted me a few weeks ago, needed for international postage. vibes and this guy kept trying to say how not reading The Australian.” tary equipment. The concern for many free- eager to chat about his single-minded mis- “I’ve sent six of these now. But I haven’t being well rested is like being high. He was Darvis was picked up by his father at 1 AM. In the wake of passing of the much-grieved dom fighters is that eventually even army sion to preserve his spunk. He asked me if I ever gotten confirmation that they received it trying really hard to not seem out of place but iconic Quadrangle jacaranda tree, the Univer- surplus stores would run out of cheap mili- was familiar with the World Seed Bank. I re- and logged the contents, or that they received sity of Sydney has moved to replace it with a tary-style clothing. plied yes. it and rejected the contents. Nothing.” genetic twin. “If there were no such thing as military The Svalbard Global Seed Vault is a gene While it seems for now Moretti is content to Alongside the new tree, to celebrate the surplus, how could I find cheap combat boots?” bank located in Norway that acts as a backup keep trying, one hopes that sooner or later, he University’s roots as a space for Christiani- asked one black flag protester, who declined for gene banks all over the world. It currently will either find his life partner, or finally have ty and Abrahamic religion, will be planted a to be named. “My entire wardrobe revolves houses about a third of the plant genera his jizz accepted into the Global Seed Vault. burning bush. around cargo pants and balaclavas. Without The bush, a vehicle for the Lord, has been war, I’m afraid my look will be ruined.” heard telling passers-by of the importance of Another protester, Ember Paul, said “The removing their shoes before stepping on holy only option is to continue fighting against ground. It has further divided the University fascism and oppression but to make sure we community by insisting to anyone that lis- don’t completely eradicate it and ruin our tens that they must help drive the Israelites ability to flex with threads.” out of Egypt and freeing the Chosen People. Paul said that this desire to hold back was “It’s actually really distracting,” said Claire the reason that fascism still existed, rather than Smith, a first year philosophy student who its entrenched and universal grip on nearly passes the bush a few times a week. “I just every powerful institution around the world. want to make it to my tutorial on time without On the other side of the political spec- being told to lead the Israelites into Canaan. I trum, ultra-nationalists around the globe are don’t even think Canaan is still a country.” similarly worried that world peace, and the The Garter has reached out to the bush for dismantling of nation-states would remove comment, but the only response we received any need for national flags, leading to an un- was the transformation of a microphone into foreseen shortage of capes. a snake and back again, and the infection of In a rare case of mutual understanding, this reporter’s hand with leprosy, which was many anti-fascists have welcomed the far Matthew Darvis, second from right, drinking water from a red cup to fool fellow partygoers. then cured. right’s pledge to ensure global war continues. The Svalbard Global Seed Vault just doesn’t seem to want any of Thomas Moretti’s baby batter.