University of The StAndard Staff Magazine, Issue 8, June 2006

Lighting up Research

In with the IT crowd For the record Who cares? ’s first university Produced by:

The StAndard Editorial Board

Chair:

Stephen Magee is Vice-Principal (External Relations) Contents and Director of Admissions.

Joe Carson is a Lecturer in the Department of French, Disabilities Officer in the School of Modern Languages, Warden of University Page 1: Welcome Hall and the Senior Warden of the University.

Pages 2-16: PEOPLE

Jim Douglas is Assistant Facilities Manager in the Estates Pages 17-24: TOWN Department and line manager for cleaning supervisors, janitors, mailroom staff and the out of hours service. Pages 25: OPINION

Pages 26-35: GOWN John Haldane is Professor of Philosophy and Director of the Centre for Ethics, Philosophy and Public Affairs. Pages 36-37: NEWS

Chris Lusk is Director of Student Support Services covering disability, councelling, welfare, student development, orientation and equal opportunities.

Jim Naismith teaches students in Chemistry and Biology and carries out research in the Centre for Biomolecular Sciences.

The StAndard is financed by the University Niall Scott is Director of the Press Office. and edited by the Press Office under direction of an independent Editorial Board comprising staff from every corner of the institution. The Editorial Board welcomes all suggestions, letters, articles, news and photography from Dawn Waddell is Secretary for the School of Art History. staff, students and members of the wider St Andrews community. Please contact us at [email protected] or via the Press Office, St Katharine’s West, The Scores, St Andrews, KY16 9AX, tel: (01334) 462529. Sandy Wilkie works as Staff Development Manager within Human Resources, co-ordinating the work of a team of three staff who support personal and management development activities for all University staff. Cover picture: Professor Ifor Samuel Credit: Alan Richardson; Pix A-R

Produced by Reprographics Unit, Printed on 150gsm recycled silk art Welcome

The StAndard is rising. We hope. Welcome to the eighth edition which covers a wide range of news, reviews and opinions affecting University staff. We’ve spoken to a cross-section of colleagues including two young entrepreneurs who manage their own record label in their spare time. We also put the IT Helpdesk under the spotlight and politely interrogated their new Manager. Don’t even think about criticising them for failing to answer the phone until you’ve read it – talk about being ‘in demand’… And if workplace pressure is getting to you, you’ll be interested to read our interview with Janet Mackinnon. However you define ‘occupational health’, you might be surprised to read that Janet’s role extends to dishing out health advice to staff embarking on research trips to far- flung places. And we’re confident Janet’s stress-busting advice includes being good to yourself - so, with summer well and truly upon us, read our review of local (n)ice-cream shops and treat yourself or, if you prefer, try a bacon roll in the new David Russell Apartments bistro. If you’re really energetic, you can always have a go at marathon running like The StAndard regular, Kenneth Stewart who recently beat Bob The Builder – and hundreds of others, we should add - in the annual London race. We also highlight the relevance of two very different areas of University research, with profiles on a bright spark who’s quite literally lighting up the future and a Professor of German who’s fascinated by 19th and early 20th century German literature. What made them choose their area of research and what makes them stay in St Andrews? And finally, whether you live in St Andrews or not, you probably have an opinion on renewable energy – whether it be wind, hydro, solar or biomass – and its potential effect on your surroundings. Inside, the University’s Environment and Energy Manager talks in support of the University’s recently-announced proposals. As always, The StAndard thanks all contributors and acknowledges the use of images supplied by Alan Richardson; Pix A-R, Tim Fitzpatrick, David Stutchfield, Stan Farrow, Dr Heather Austin, Peter Adamson, Rhona Rutherford, Dan Young, Mark Dennis, Kenneth Stewart, Moojuice, Staff Development, Department of Sport and Exercise and University of St Andrews Library. Special thanks to the Reprographics Unit and Lesley Lind, Publications Officer.

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In the

hot seat (of learning)

Would you like to put yourself or a colleague in the hot seat? Email us at [email protected] with your suggestions.

Mario with Riisa, his Meyers parrot

NAME: Dr Mario I. Aguilar carnival or a funeral, always followed ALL-TIME FAVOURITE FILM – The Lord POSITION: Director, Centre for the by the excitement of preparing for the of the Rings (I-III) closely followed by Il Study of Religion and Politics (CSRP) following weekend. During summer, Postino and The Mission. Those are the there were international tournaments films that I can watch over and over LAST GOOD BOOK - Adrian Mole and and the excitement of hearing about again. the Weapons of Mass Destruction by Sue new signings, etc. Townsend; The Inferno by Luz Arce. (I CURRENTLY PLAYING ON STEREO tend to read a fun book as well as one IDEAL MEAL – Steak, salad, red wine – Africa Unite by Bob Marley and the related to my native Chile at the same with plenty of bread or a traditional Wailers. This is a compilation CD with all time). Sunday roast. of Marley’s singles. However, most of the time, there is some Chilean revolutionary FIRST RECORD BOUGHT – I don’t MOST PRIZED POSSESSION – Several music being played. remember exactly, but it was either the of them: my archival library, a Meyers 1812 Overture or one by Cat Stevens. parrot, my uncle’s hand written original THE PERFECT WEEKEND – At home Antarctic diary, my grandfather’s letter with no major commitments, and the TOP HOLIDAY DESTINATION – The opener and my laptop computer. following wonderful components: time island of Tenerife, particularly the quiet to read the Saturday Guardian (I am not coastal village of Los Gigantes. It seems CHILDHOOD AMBITION – To be a too fond of the Sunday papers), time to to be the only place on this planet where scientist; I won a national prize for have a walk on the East Sands, time for I can rest to the point that time stands chemistry aged 11, however somehow writing, Saturday evening dinner with still. I never made it to the chemistry labs when I grew up. I was told that there was friends, a good siesta while listening HAPPIEST CHILDHOOD MEMORY – no money for research in science in Chile to music on my iPod and a good drop Going to a football match every weekend and that I should think of something of Chilean wine (Merlot). Added ex- in Santiago, Chile, and having lunch with useful to do with my life (!!) ceptional components would be a home- my grandparents. Football was a central made curry or a steak at the Marmalade occupation in my family, thus the week FAVOURITE LOCAL HAUNT – The East Pot in Dundee or a walk in Perthshire. started with the collection of tickets on a Sands with its New Inn pub. Tuesday, the football radio commentaries FIRST LOVE (not necessarily a person!) before the weekend and the match – The Catholic University Football Club itself. My grandmother used to say that, (Santiago, Chile). by Sunday evening, there was either a

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Barbara enjoying her favourite carrot cake at the North Point

NAME: Barbara Porter IDEAL MEAL – Any meal from Ainsley his attention by hitting him was maybe POSITION: Secretary, Office of the Harriott’s Barbecue Bible, served outside the wrong way to go about things and Principal (weather permitting) with a nice chilled it remained a one-way fixation for about bottle of Chardonnay and of course, a month. LAST GOOD BOOK - Private Papers by good company! Meals like this just Margaret Forster. ALL-TIME FAVOURITE FILM – Jane Eyre seem to be so relaxing. (b/w 1944) with Orson Welles and Joan FIRST RECORD BOUGHT – Street Life by MOST PRIZED POSSESSION – My iPod, Fontaine. I was very young when I first Roxy Music. I couldn’t believe it when I which my children bought me for my saw this when it was shown on a Sunday saw Roxy Music on Top of the Pops. This birthday. I’m never stuck for something afternoon on TV, but yet I can still was the pre-music video and MTV era good to listen to, music or talking books, remember the impact it had on me; I was and it was the programme to watch and it’s absolutely fantastic. spellbound. Apparently I talked about it not to be missed for anything. I played it all the time and still have a copy which I over and over until one day, my brother CHILDHOOD AMBITION – I took up Irish love to watch. No other version has the could stand it no longer and broke it in dancing from an early age and longed to same effect on me. two! be good enough to wear the stunning costume dresses and perform at national TOP HOLIDAY DESTINATION level. Unfortunately, one cruel comment CURRENTLY PLAYING ON STEREO – Switzerland - all that fresh air and (although probably true) stopped me in – Marvin Gaye’s Greatest Hits. chocolate and absolutely nothing can my tracks and I never went back, yet… beat having breakfast in the revolving THE PERFECT WEEKEND – Not that restaurant at the top of the Schilthorn FAVOURITE LOCAL HAUNT – North it happens often, but when we get the Mountain. Point Café – for cappuccino and carrot chance to get away up North I love to go cake which I have to rate as the best HAPPIEST CHILDHOOD MEMORY – to Pitlochry and the surrounding area. carrot cake I’ve ever tasted. Holidays with my aunt, uncle and cousin It’s so peaceful and beautiful, we leave all in Devon and Cornwall, staying in their FIRST LOVE (not necessarily a person!) phones switched off, walk, chill and chat caravan. We seemed to meet wonderfully – Francis Walsh, at the tender age of – it certainly recharges the batteries. friendly people and, what I remember eight years old. We had to hold hands most of all, is the sunny beaches and fun walking into class and I thought he was filled evenings in the local bar. wonderful. I think, however, that getting

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Eric enjoying his favourite local view from the New Club

NAME: Eric Priest TOP HOLIDAY DESTINATION – North FAVOURITE LOCAL HAUNT – My POSITION: James Gregory and Bishop west of Scotland on Loch Ewe in late favourite local view is (when playing Wardlaw Professor of Mathematics. June/early July when the light, the bridge) from the upstairs lounge in It sounds grand but it isn’t really - I am flowers, the birds and the mountains are the New on an early summer especially privileged to be associated magical. Nothing in the world can beat it evening looking over the Old Course with James Gregory, one of St Andrews for enchantment. towards the West Sands. most eminent previous scholars. He was HAPPIEST CHILDHOOD MEMORY FIRST LOVE (not necessarily a person!) the first Regius Professor of Mathematics – Riding a tricycle on two wheels round – Certainly Clare, who has supported me in the University (1668-1674) and was a bend. so well over the years. inventor of the Gregorian Telescope as well as being one of the three founders IDEAL MEAL – A fillet steak (rare) with ALL-TIME FAVOURITE FILM – Each time of calculus with Newton and Leibniz. a fine French burgundy, preceded by an it is the latest David Attenborough nature avocado salad and followed by a sorbet, series, even better than the last, with LAST GOOD BOOK – I am usually accompanied by conversation with one its amazing film footage that inspires reading a novel, a bridge book and a of my stimulating friends such as Huw or a sense of wonder about the richness, book on science and religion - Roger Tony or Paul. diversity and beauty of nature. Penrose’s The Road to Reality turned out to be hard going and Bill Bryson’s A Short MOST PRIZED POSSESSION – CURRENTLY PLAYING ON STEREO History of Nearly Everything was hugely Photograph albums - bringing to life so – A selection of Faure songs which I am entertaining and informative, but the many wonderful moments of the past learning to sing. with family and friends. last really good one that I have read was THE PERFECT WEEKEND – Choir by Alister McGrath, called The Twilight CHILDHOOD AMBITION – I don’t practices with St Andrews church and of Atheism: The Rise and Fall of Disbelief. remember such ambitions, but feel very St Andrews chorus on Friday evening. The title reflects the current return to an fortunate to have had a fulfilling career in Walking in the hills all day Saturday by interest in and experience of Christianity an ideal location - there is no other job in myself, soaking up the beauty of Scotland. in reaction to the decline of atheism any other location I would have preferred. Church on Sunday morning, followed by and the current disenchantment with However, I hope that the University a wonderful lunch with friends, cooked postmodernism. powers-that-be can be fired with a new by Clare. A stroll on the beach in the FIRST RECORD BOUGHT – Jacques vision to reduce the pressures on young afternoon, and then a relaxing evening Loussier plays Bach. academics and so make the profession with Clare and the Sunday newspaper as attractive as when I entered it. before the new week starts.

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“The Helpdesk started out as a one- person operation and has evolved as a necessary service due to demand.” Lorraine Brown, Helpdesk Manager.

Left – right: Graham Halley, Chris Gordon, Lorraine Brown, Ray Parkinson, Rab McElney, Caroline Peter, Ali Armitt In with the IT crowd By Gayle Cook, Press Officer Six and a half thousand students, credits and other consumables – indeed got a virus and have lost all my files – can 1,800 members of staff and in that same month 1259 students you retrieve them? It’s easy to consider approximately 6,000 computers turned up (though not all at once!) to your own problem a priority and wonder on campus, all of which could make a purchase, and neither student why such problems occur in the first profoundly affect the entire nor phone can be ignored. place, but when you consider the volume of ‘calls’ the Helpdesk takes and University network at any given The StAndard caught up with Lorraine the number of staff juggling numerous moment, day or night… just weeks into her post, alongside tasks, it really isn’t that surprising. With a small team of seven and up to seasoned helper Graham Halley (now 200 requests for assistance a day, it’s no Documentation Officer but occasionally The Helpdesk, though not stuck on self- wonder that sometimes the IT Helpdesk on call to the desk), to learn more about imposed rules, have a couple of loosely can’t answer the phone. the volume of problems they face and set policies: firstly, to always have at least the challenges for the future. two members of the team physically Calls for help being met with voicemail on the desk and, secondly, to respond is a common complaint levelled at the As an incomer to the team, and with ten Helpdesk, but as new Helpdesk Manager years Helpdesk experience, Lorraine’s to new calls within four hours. Though Lorraine Brown pointed out: “It is very first impression was that the major the desk is manned from 8.45am to rare for us not to answer a call – if it goes challenge faced by the team was the 6pm it’s common for staff to be found to voicemail, it’s because we are already sheer volume of incoming ‘calls’ – as she on duty earlier, catching up with calls on the phone to another user trying to noted, ‘there is always another problem left overnight, and later, still working solve their problem. In the month of April waiting to be fixed’. Indeed, the day on problems arising during the day. It for example, we received 807 queries by before our meeting, the desk had logged is a small but dedicated team which, email and 927 phone calls – all of which in excess of 100 calls reporting a problem because it’s based on the front line, often have to be followed up with an email, sending and receiving email – a niggling finds itself in the line of fire by frustrated phone call or visit.” issue resulting from a recent power cut. members of staff or students, who each think their need is more important. What many staff won’t realise is that the We’ve all been there – email is down and IT Helpdesk also acts as a sales point for we have an urgent message to send or As Graham pointed out: “On one hand students who wish to purchase print receive; how long will it take to fix? I’ve we could have a student physically at

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the Helpdesk, on the verge of losing six visits to the Helpdesk counter for faced by every major institution world- months’ work because of a computer purchases and other queries. The story wide and it isn’t any bigger a problem in problem and a Professor on the phone doesn’t end there: up to 70% of these St Andrews than anywhere else. There who can’t send his emails. We have visits are resolved in person at the desk, are some tips you can follow though to to make a decision there and then but since they -for the moment- are not beat the scourge (see right). and use our judgement over which to logged, the number of total number Lorraine and Graham agreed that it was prioritise and thankfully most users are of requests being dealt with every day ‘a matter of education and a case of understanding over any delays.” by the Helpdesk is much higher than being sensible with one’s own use’ but currently recorded. But while the Helpdesk generally deals realise that every user has their own with staff (since they tend to have more Obviously there are certain times of the level of awareness and IT-literacy. This is complex needs and use a wider range year which are busier than others, new precisely the reason that some problems of services), students are part of the terms are notoriously busier, but even are better dealt with over the phone University community. However, if they during the breaks, there is no let-up. while others are best handled in person have a problem with a personal PC they Instead, staff tend to take time to work – it’s usually down to the individual as may need to pay to have it fixed. The on other projects, developments and well as the problem itself. You shouldn’t Helpdesk doesn’t make a profit though, maintenance which generally take a back be afraid to report a problem though – and students are usually grateful for seat during term time. Not to mention it’s always better to be safe than sorry in getting a very good deal on servicing the creation of WebCT ‘shells’ (templates) this field – and the Helpdesk are happy and parts. Indeed, to prevent problems which take up a lot of time immediately to assist with queries in person too. arising in the first place, they run user preceding new semesters. This summer the servers on the North clinics for new students at the beginning The most common problems reported to Haugh will be upgraded, following those of every academic year. But with around the Helpdesk are perhaps unsurprisingly already upgraded in town. According to 500 classroom PCs used by students email-related, usually a particular Graham this should alleviate some of the around the clock, the Helpdesk has to problem with a user account. But many email problems but of course systems use its limited resources wisely. problems can easily be avoided with are always evolving and will require to It was partly for that reason that the a little bit of common sense and what be upgraded further before long. Call Management System (CMS) was they call ‘responsible use’ of email – for When asked if any changes were afoot introduced 18 months ago – the idea example, did you know that by sending for the Helpdesk, we were told that behind it was to ensure that every ‘call’ large email attachments (say over 5MB), plans were currently underway for (by email, phone or in person) was you run the risk of impacting on not the team to move to a new location logged properly and dealt with through just your own email but everyone else’s on Level 2 of the Library when the the system. All emails sent to helpdesk@ on that server? If you have a regular proposed redevelopment of that level st-andrews.ac.uk go into a joint inbox need to distribute larger files speak to is undertaken, hopefully in 2007. This where they are either dealt with on the the Helpdesk about alternative methods will be a welcome move since it should spot or passed on to specialist colleagues for making these files available, e.g. provide more space not just for staff but in IT Services – so it is very much a team using a website or shared space on a for those calling in for help. As Lorraine effort. And to ensure that calls aren’t central server. pointed out, “The Helpdesk here, as ignored for too long, problems which Also, did you realise that substantial with many others, started out as a one- haven’t been acted upon within four amounts of mail left on the server can person operation and has evolved into hours are automatically forwarded to cause similar rumblings (you can easily a necessary service due to demand. IT Lorraine to chase up. change your individual settings)? It is a dynamic area and we are looking Lorraine explained: “The preference only takes a few users making the same forward to progression in our team for email as a first choice of reporting mistakes to cause such problems, albeit – relocation will be a very good move for is simply for the practical reason that without realising the consequences. And the Helpdesk.” it goes straight into the system. It also ‘there is always a reason’ for email delays And finally… you’ve all heard the one frees up the phone lines which the team – the Helpdesk frequently finds that the about the WordPerfect helpdesker who usually need to call users to fix problems! cause of many delays lies outside the instructed a user to pack his computer The system has worked well since it was University and is beyond their control. away and take it back to the shop telling introduced and for the Helpdesk team Another common complaint reported them the problem was that he was ‘too comes with the added advantage of an to the Helpdesk is the volume of spam stupid to use it’, but have the team been in-built knowledge base, which helps which seems to find its way through faced with any clangers? Not wishing them build knowledge and technical the servers, but with around 15,000 to name any names, Graham recalls the know-how.” email addresses across the University, time they were called with the message In a typical day the desk deal with some of which are particularly public, that ‘there’s something wrong with anything between 40 and 80 ‘calls’, but it is admittedly a difficult problem to my monitor’, to be met with a screen this number rises to 200 when it includes manage. But the issue is something engulfed in flames.

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Answer IT: What basic steps can I take to make my computer safe? Backup and update are the key words – always backup your files (it’s not the responsibility of the Helpdesk to retrieve those precious lost files) and regularly update your software, both Microsoft (Windows updates) and F-Secure for your virus definitions. Can I do anything about spam? Yes, there are many things you can do. You can set your email to filter all email marked as spam straight to your trash can, or you can adjust your preferences to suit. Never reply to spam as it will verify your account as real, which is why some staff no longer set vacation messages. Vacation messages can still be safe however – did you know you can set it to only reply to University email accounts for example? Should we delete or disinfect viruses? As a first precaution you should disinfect, and if the problem recurs you should delete – but if you are unsure about what you are doing, you should contact the Helpdesk for advice. Be careful not to delete a virus without checking which file you are about to delete – you could lose important pieces of information. Deleting a virus in your Eudora inbox will delete the entire inbox, not just the message with the virus! If you use Microsoft Outlook, deleting a virus will delete everything including all of your mailboxes, contacts and diary entries! As a general rule you should always ask the Helpdesk if you are at all unsure of removing a virus. How can I help myself? Common problems can often be easily fixed without expert help. You can always check first with the comprehensive IT Services webpages at www.st-andrews.ac.uk/its , Eudora help (if email-related) or Microsoft’s knowledge base (for Windows problems). Any issues expected to affect the University computer services are usually posted on the ITS Messages page, and are often also publicised by mass emails to all users. It’s always worth checking the Messages page (click the Messages link on the IT Services web page), before contacting the Helpdesk. Finally, keep inboxes to a minimum, particularly on the server – large inboxes clog up the server and slow down your system but the problem can be alleviated by deleting mail from the server and moving messages on your PC into pending folders.

New Chancellor appointed

The new Chancellor of the University of St Andrews was officially installed in April. During the ceremony, Liberal Democrat leader and North-East MP, the Rt Hon Sir , was also conferred with an honorary degree of Doctor of Laws. Sir Menzies replaced Sir Kenneth Dover who retired from Left - right: Dr Brian Lang (Principal and Vice-Chancellor), Mr Alex Yabroff office in January after 25 years in post. (President, Students’ Association) and Rt Hon Sir Menzies Campbell

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Who cares? By Claire Grainger, Press Officer “There is no substitute for the family doctor” – a phrase which Janet Mackinnon drops into our ‘consultation’ intermittently. It strikes me that she might be wrong. For, despite her modesty, Janet, individual and ensuring they are fit for Occupational Health Adviser, is making a the job in the question. massive contribution to staff’s health and Although the only OH Adviser in the wellbeing – and is considerably more University, Janet works closely with her approachable and sympathetic than a colleagues in Environmental Health and number of doctors I could mention. Safety Services. So, what does OH involve, why do we “Health and safety is an ever-changing need it, and who looks after her when she’s busy looking after everyone else? field. There are always new rules and requirements coming into effect and A nurse by profession, Kirkcaldy-born it’s our job, as a team, to ensure that Janet holds three qualifications – we’re giving out the most up-to-date “ which I use in equal amounts” – general guidelines and advice – whether it be Janet Mackinnon at work nursing, psychiatry and OH. In the through our various training courses – for energy, as do several jobs within the 1970’s, in Edinburgh, she worked at the example first aid, fire safety, safe manual library. Some workplaces are warm and raw edge of nursing – “blood, guts, the handling, dealing with aggression – or humid, others are exceptionally noisy, lot” – and then spent a few years as ward support and advice in relation to the some people are exposed to soldering sister in acute psychiatry. Then, after a smoking ban, or the need for up-to- fumes, mineral oils and irritants. You can year working with patients with learning date advice in the face of public health only help these people by going into difficulties, she headed for and trained in incidents like meningitis, mumps and so their work environment and getting a OH at Argyll and Clyde Health Board. She on.” fuller picture. I spend a lot of time going then returned to her native Fife where into workplaces and understanding, she joined Fife Fire and Rescue Service. There are also a number of external exactly, what risks exist and trying to Looking after the OH of firefighters, factors which specifically affect OH. prevent and minimise the risk to health some would say it wasn’t the worst job in “As a society, we have an expectation of and wellbeing BEFORE any problems the world but, despite this, Janet joined enjoying a healthy, working life but are arise. Having been here nine years, I the University in 1997. often required to work right up to an think I’ve finally got round the whole A few staff still prefer to address her in ever-increasing pension age and these University but, on saying that, there’s the more traditional way as ‘Sister’. Even two things don’t always go hand in hand. always someone who emerges and I though her days of wearing a frilly white There’s government pressure to work think, ‘What? You do what??!’ hat are over, Janet, to my surprise, feels later in life and increasing legislation So, can there be a ‘typical week’ for ‘privileged’ – and surprisingly calm - to that work ought to be available with Janet? now be ‘wearing eight to ten different adaptations for those with a disability hats’. or ill health. OH has to be mindful of all “Dealing with work-related stress issues those parameters”. has become a fairly big chunk of my “My job is a comprehensive one. Some job, working with Human Resources staff know me as ‘the one who does first Janet is also quick to point out that there and the manager, or sometimes just the aid training’, ‘the one you go to if you’re is no set definition of ‘workplace’ at the individual. In addition to the pressures stressed’ or ‘the one you call when you’re University and this makes her job both of work, it’s fair to say that most people, suffering from computer strain’’. But complicated and challenging. regardless of their job and where they there are countless things which I can “It’s my job to ensure that I understand, work, come in each day with a certain do, and services I can provide, which exactly, what staff do. For example, there’s amount of ‘luggage’ and often need might not be so well known”. a big difference between your kitchen at help creating a good work/life balance. ‘Occupational Health’ is, largely, looking home and an industrial kitchen in a hall We may be a small town but we’re not at the workplace and ensuring it does of residence and working in the bindery immune to the problems that affect not have a negative effect on the health might sound tame but actually requires people in any city. We have countless of the worker – and also looking at the some staff to exert a huge amount of staff who have more than one job,

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who might look after sick or vulnerable “We don’t our cars for hours on end “I can look into a range of issues which relatives when they go home at night, and we shouldn’t be sitting at our desks might affect someone about to embark or who are facing significant personal on computers all day either. I’ve heard on a field or research trip – whether into problems – all of which could affect their staff say that they sit at a computer all an African jungle, a sub-zero Scottish ability to be healthy workers.” day, often with poor posture, and then mountain range or a mosquito-ridden back water in some far flung place. I can Janet is keen to ensure that staff know take half an hour’s break – again, at check out the altitude they may be at, they can talk to her in COMPLETE their desk! – then they wonder why they the risks they may face from insect or confidence. have some pain in their upper arm and neck. Managers should carry out display animal-borne infection and advise on “No-one can be forced to come and talk screen equipment risk assessments the immunisations they might need to to me but, if they do, they’re more than and provide guidance and support on arrange with their health centre. I can welcome to self-refer and come to me preventing computer work becoming, provide specialist travel first aid kits independently, with no-one knowing. quite literally, a pain – even if this means - most useful in places where sterile This goes for all health issues, not just changing their work patterns slightly to supplies such as needles and syringes work-related stress, but it may be that, prevent problems developing in the first are in short supply, if at all! Advice can eventually, I strongly advise them to talk place. Some of these computer-related be sought on personal hygiene, water to their manager, doctor or HR to try health problems can take ages to resolve purification and protective equipment.” and come to a solution. I meet with HR - prevention is best!” regularly and we try to detect any ‘hot Janet can assist the member of staff in spots’ where there is a lot of sickness, Janet also has access to OH Physician, completing a risk assessment before absence, or increased reports of stress Dr Linda Grimmond, who spends half they leave for their trip. in a department and, in that instance, a day at the University every week. The “I look into the detail of what, exactly, I/we might go in and offer support and session generally includes carrying out they’ll be doing up that mountain or training to the staff and management medical examinations, dealing with ill if it is thought that their workplace is health retirements contributing to poor health.” and occasionally visiting staff in their Janet also deals with sickness absence own homes. when a manager may wish to refer someone to OH with a concern about “Our tie-up with Linda sickness absenteeism. Ideally, this is extremely valuable. process has been discussed with the As well as her employee and agreed upon pre-referral own expertise, Linda but Janet will also seek consent from works for a large the individual to ensure they are in occupational service agreement with the arrangements pre- and we can ‘tap into’ appointment. this organisation for “Basically, if someone has been off work specialist services if for a certain amount of time, I’m alerted we need them,” Janet and it’s my job to try and discuss the explained. health issues with the employee, in There’s also a complete confidence, and try to help. relatively new aspect This might mean visiting them at home, of Janet’s role which if they prefer. I then advise their manager staff may be unaware and HR when they are likely to return to of, and one which she work and often give suggestions on how talks about with much their return could be made easier. This enthusiasm – “Travel may or may not involve consultation health is something with their doctor but, again, only with I’d definitely like the employee’s permission. It’s not about to do more of,” she forcing them to come back to work. That says, having recently can only be counter-productive.” taken two courses Another aspect of Janet’s role is dealing in the subject and with staff’s neck, shoulder/arm problems, having access to new, brought about by excessive desk/ regularly up-dated computer work and, sometimes, sitting software on the badly or not taking enough breaks. subject. Even Janet needs a break sometimes!

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in the jungle, and how they intend to And her advice for others? Janet also has access to a professional protect themselves. It’s an extremely network of colleagues working in other “If it’s all getting too much, and for many worthwhile service and I’m more than universities and organisations. people it is, try to take a break and get happy to talk to anyone with concerns of “We phone or email each other regularly, this nature.” out of the work-place. Even a little time away from demands and pressure can to share experiences and discuss difficult It all sounds exhausting – particularly for help us deal with these more positively issues affecting OH. As a group, we see one person. on return. the value of helping each other out with advice, experience, warnings of pitfalls So who listens to the listener? “During my nursing career, I’ve worked and so on, and this informal liaison is a “My cut-off point, when driving home, is in a variety of health care settings, some vital support for single practitioners in OH at the crossroads just before my home. state of the art, some horrendous. Often settings. There’s also a Higher Education That’s when I automatically switch off the staff had little or no scope for a break Occupational Health Practitioners Group from work and revert to my home and outside the environment until the shift which meets once or twice a year to personal life. I switch into work mode was over. Here, I’m still thrilled at how discuss various policy issues, and that’s a at the crossroads on the return trip next easy it is to walk to the shops, go for a great help too.” day. I usually don’t take my diary or any coffee or glance at the sea in your lunch Anyone wishing to contact Janet work home, or dwell on work problems break. There may be genuine problems directly should call her on ext 2752. out of hours. If I remember something I affecting your health at work – but there ought to have done, I have been known are also real perks to working in a place to leave myself a voice mail - though it’s of the size and beauty of St Andrews. Like weird getting a message from yourself!” most things in life, it’s all about balance”. Past the finishing line!

On Sunday 23 April 2006, 33,000 As we approached people completed the 26.2 the halfway point at mile London marathon. Among Tower Bridge, events them was Kenneth Stewart from began to change as Financial Accounts (Insurance). unprepared runners began walking, while Here, he reflects on the day - others stretched at I soon realised that I was not going the side of the road as muscles tightened to trouble the runners from Kenya or and cramp set in. Ethiopia when Bob the Builder passed me at three miles. Something was clearly Probably the most wrong as I found myself clocking nine- uttered cry in my minute miles instead of the anticipated direction was “Come 7:40 pace set out the night before, while on Jock!” followed downing a couple of beers. However, by “Come on such are the pitfalls of marathon running Scotland!” Clearly, if when the best laid plans of mice and you are never going Kenneth, taking a well-deserved break men go out the window come race day. to be picked to play at Hampden or Murrayfield, then running the London in full swing, I made one last push for While the North enjoyed sunshine, Marathon in the kilt is the next best the line and probably passed 50 runners London was constant drizzle. That thing. By the time we reached the before reaching the finish in a time of made running in the kilt something of a Embankment, followed by a right hand 4:05. I came in three minutes ahead of Olympic rower Sir Matthew Pinsent (4:08) , as the weight and swing began turn at Westminster into Birdcage Walk, but was well beaten by Chef Gordon to take its toll. The opening seven miles the crowds were numbering 250,000 Ramsay (3:46). to Cutty Sark passed almost unnoticed, and created a noise level akin to a cup save for sections of the estimated final. The last bend on the course at The fact that 12,000 had already 500,000 spectators lining the route, Buckingham Palace brought us into the completed the course was of little with some offering wine gums and jelly Mall and an agonising 200m that just importance as I knew that somewhere babies for that quick fix of sugar. cried out for a sprint finish. With the kilt behind was Bob the Builder.

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Staff branch out in their lunchbreaks

Thirty green-fingered staff did their bit for the environment recently when they planted trees in their lunchbreaks.

Staff from areas including Estates, Registry, Chemistry and Human Re- sources ditched shopping for planting Eileen Drummond (foreground) and when they planted native trees along Belinda Broadley, both from Estates the side of the University playing fields, by David Russell Apartments. As well as the obvious environmental benefits, the trees will provide screening for local residents and shelter for joggers using the nearby trails. Alison Aiton (Business Improvements) with After lunch in DRA, staff chose their bark bag, and Eileen Drummond and Wilma preferred species and planted their tree Mackie (Estates) looking on in the pre-dug holes, fitting them with protectors and canes and then placing bark chips around the base of the trees. Staff were also allowed to label their tree with their own name so they can return and check their progress.

Around 25 native saplings were planted including field maple, silver birch, hornbeam, beech, white poplar, wild cherry, bird cherry, white willow and small leaf lime. The volunteers were assisted by members of the Estates Grounds team (Bill, Donald, Frank, Shaun, Mark, Robin and Richard).

Yvonne McKie from the Estates Environment team explained that this was one of a series of events co- ordinated by the University’s Changing Behaviour group which aims to raise awareness of environmental and sustainability issues among staff. She also highlighted that DRA, which was hosting the event, had been awarded the Silver award for Green tourism and would be applying for the Gold award. Yvonne McKie and David Stuchfield from Estates

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For the record By Gayle Cook, Press Officer

It was a little more than fate which ensured that childhood friends Alasdair Macmillan and Neil Albrock ended up working together at the University of St Andrews… Alasdair and Neil, both based at the Joint Centre for Scottish Housing Research, grew up together in Dunfermline and their lives have been littered with a series of chance encounters and rekindling of old friendships that could only happen in a small town. But it’s precisely that dynamic that has resulted in the pair starting their own record label, based very much around the burgeoning and collective Fife music scene.

Alasdair and Neil met as 12 year olds Neil and Alasdair, founders of Moojuice back in 1987 at the town’s Queen Anne High School, and soon gravitated you can create something incredible if towards each other through their (his CDs will feature his own artwork). you have the time. ” mutual passion for music. Throughout By the time Alasdair and Neil recorded Craig Rennie they had garnered enough their teenage years, the pair’s friend- The seeds for Moojuice were sown experience and technical know-how ship was cemented through music; into in early 2002 with a chance meeting to bring the best out of the modest their twenties they both took up guitar in a book-come-record-shop between but undeniably talented youngster, and began experimenting with recording Alasdair and Keith Anderson, a singer- who cites old Presbyterian hymns their own material. Eighteen years later songwriter from Kelty. Upon hearing and Bruce Springsteen amongst his the bond remains and the commitment Keith’s ‘amazing’ music for the first time, influences. Dunfermline based The to recording good music has resulted in Alasdair was so impressed he thought, Scottish Enlightenment were added to the creation of Moojuice Records – an ‘why don’t we start our own record what was fast becoming a collective, entirely independent record label based label?’ and Moojuice have spent the last year at home in Dunfermline. “It was really all about letting the world recording the contemporary indie rock With three burgeoning Scots acts on its hear some amazing music that wasn’t band’s first release. Having amassed an roster, Moojuice is on the verge of selling being heard. It just seemed like a natural expensive but necessary collection of its first releases online. In an industry process for us from the beginning, we recording equipment between them which is no longer ruled by the major didn’t seek music, it just presented itself over the years, Alasdair and Neil took corporate labels and in an era where to us time and time again,” he explained. their ‘nomadic studio’ on the road and online sales can mean a number one recorded wherever they could, from a Moojuice Records was officially born in record, the possibilities are endless. church in Aberdeen to a church garage in December 2002 when Keith was signed Dunfermline, to a tenement in Glasgow. Alasdair commented:“The record industry up; not long afterwards in November has changed a lot over recent years. It no 2003 he was followed by Craig Rennie, From the beginning it was a learning longer costs a fortune to make a record a local artist Alasdair had first met at experience for Moojuice and its artists, – artists can, with the right equipment, Aberdeen University – he even gave who Alasdair and Neil refer to as a ‘DIY make a perfectly professional record and him his first guitar lesson. Fast forward family’, because they do indeed do showcase it online themselves. But there three years, their paths crossed again everything themselves, from pressing are pitfalls to recording your own music and Alasdair discovered that those early CDs to producing promotional material. and most artists don’t have the recording guitar lessons had grown into something Modelling themselves on traditional experience or necessary equipment to much bigger. Craig was now a fully- indie labels, they developed a strong do their music justice. With the right fledged folk oriented singer-songwriter, brand and a good core of artists, with an blend of people and experience though, with a further talent for art and design inherent desire for perfection. Admitting

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to exceptionally high standards, Alasdair like to develop our nomadic studio into and Neil spend on average six hours an a standalone one,” Neil said. evening on their business, which they When asked if they would ever relocate ultimately want to be a success. But Moojuice to London in search of the bright before that they are driven by the need lights, the answer was a resounding and to create watertight records, with high immediate ‘no way’ from both Alasdair quality demonstrated not only in sound and Neil. While creative output from but in the entire package. Fife might seem to have been buried in It is during the last year or so that the distant past since the success of Big things have really started to pick up for Country, the Skids and Nazareth, it seems Moojuice and its artists – in fact, not long that something special has been stirring before both Alasdair and Neil arrived in over the last few years. St Andrews. It was Alasdair, already a VIT (Vocational IT) postgraduate student “Being a part of such a lively but here, who pointed out an IT job for independent scene is largely what we the CORE project in JCSHR to Neil in are about. At the moment, it’s a really January last year. Alasdair ended up interesting time for the music scene joining him just a few months later as a in Fife –bands such as Dogs Die in Hot data processor (he is now data quality Cars, the Beta Band, the Fence Collective assessor with CORE and Neil now works and St Andrews’ own K T Tunstall, have for the Supporting People project), and succeeded in putting the area on the the pair are both based at JCSHR’s base musical map and we want to remain a by the Observatory. part of that. We are very committed to this area,” they said. Coincidentally, Alasdair sits opposite last issue’s cover star Liz Woods, and the “Besides, it’s not about the money for threesome are currently in talks around us – so far we haven’t made a penny the possibility of Moojuice recording out of the business, but making good some of Liz’s charge, Gerry Jablonski’s music and allowing it to be heard is what music. makes us happy.” But what lies ahead for Moojuice? Indeed, Moojuice was originally created 2006 could be the year for big things with the simple goal of only releasing to happen – at the time The StAndard music that they love and believe in: “We caught up with Alasdair and Neil, the think that if we love it, someone else will pair were preparing for their official love it too. We will always only release a launch night ‘The Sound of Moosic’ record that we want to own ourselves.” – a showcase of their artists and music in Talking of which, on a more personal Edinburgh, in front of industry types and level, Neil’s ‘eclectic’ musical tastes music aficionados. In an era and industry account for ‘a little bit of everything’ where anything really could happen, the including electronic music, while Alasdair The Moojuice artists pair’s long-term aim to find a distributor particularly likes Scots Musical releases will soon be for sale for their music could only be a matter of and K T Tunstall. When asked about time in happening. In the days running online at Moojuice’s official website. In the mysterious ‘Swedish beat combo’ the meantime, you can listen to sample up to the sold-out launch night, Neil mentioned on their website, Alasdair and tracks by Craig Rennie, Keith Anderson and Alasdair were working hard on the Neil exchanged knowing glances and and The Scottish Enlightenment at: already impressive Moojuice website to admitted that Loengard was actually their www.moojuicerecords.com prepare for the potential interest which own band name. But the modest pair might arise. would rather push other people’s music If you like what you hear you can catch all three Moojuice artists live at The “We have made small runs of our three than their own – incidentally, the name Doghouse in Dundee later this month records and are hoping to attract the Moojuice (milk) symbolises nutrition for (June 23rd, 8pm). attention of a distributor following the newborns and hence their nurturing of launch. During the launch night our three new music. So while Alasdair will make a acts will play to –hopefully- a capacity rare appearance on the stage with Craig Do you do something creative audience of 120 people. This year will Rennie during the launch night, for the or interesting in your spare be very much about raising awareness moment, the pair are happy to remain time? Email us at and sales, after which we would really behind the scenes. [email protected]

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I must admit … By Claire Grainger, Press Officer

Stan Farrow retired from his job as He then embarked upon a successful Director of the University’s Access teaching career which took him to Centre on Friday 23 September Kirkton and Whitfield High Schools in 2005. Dundee (now Baldragon and Braeview) and Forfar Academy. The following Wednesday, he swapped his shirt and tie for a rucksack when he Stan then decided to give it all up and returned to start his new life as an ‘access’ the teaching world’s loss became the student – just like the many others he University’s gain as he was appointed had spent 12 years enticing through the as Associate Director of Admissions in University’s doors. 1993. But, following a period of ill-health, a wish to ‘reclaim’ his energy led Stan to Stan (57), who took early retirement, take early retirement in September 2005 is now enjoying his first module of the and embark on a new lifestyle. part-time evening degree, Art History. “I had a great time here as an “I was determined not to let my brain undergraduate, got a great education cells rot and am doing it for enjoyment and met my wife – I really had a debt to and mental stimulation more than Stan Farrow repay by coming back for another go.” anything. I also have a real soft spot for St Andrews – it’s in my blood”, he said. Stan chose Art History as his first module because of his passion for photography. Stan is no stranger to study, having “I bought my first decent camera in 1976, was selling pictures by 1984, even raffled graduated from St Andrews in Biological some for Live Aid, and started selling them again last year. Like most artists, I’m Science in 1970 and, later, from the particularly interested and intrigued by the effects of light and composition and I Open University where he studied chose Art History as I hoped my interest in photography would help feed off that, Oceanography and Biological Bases of which it does. I’m also taking weekly painting classes in St Andrews which is helping Behaviour. He also has a Postgraduate develop my creative side even further.” Diploma in Educational Technology. Indeed, one of Stan’s photographs has been chosen to feature in a forthcoming touring “I was a lazy student, first time round, exhibition of the Royal Photographic Society. One of only 40 selected Scotland-wide, at St Andrews. I scraped through by the the photograph is taken looking out of a window in a restaurant in Hillswick, Shetland. skin of my teeth and had resits every year Stan’s landscape photography also featured in an exhibition of his work in the Byre but, remarkably, I made it.” Theatre last November. Stan hopes to take further modules in subjects such as Philosophy or Classics – “I’ll be avoiding Biology and Psychology as I’ve had plenty of that already!” he added, referring to his teaching career and second degree. Stan is one of a current cohort of 133 part-time evening degree students, with 18 in his Art History class, some of whom he helped admit to University! “The students on my course are extremely committed and intelligent and, I have to say, more hard-working than I am! But we’re all doing the degree for different reasons, some for career development, some need the qualification and others for pure enjoyment and satisfaction. It’s an excellent degree.” However, Stan admits that his familiar face got in the way at the start of the course! “When I started, a couple of students spotted me, remembering me from their interview and said, ‘what are you doing here!?’ They thought I was checking up on them and were relieved to hear that I wasn’t, but was now ‘one of them!’”

For more information on the part-time evening degree, please contact – Evening Degree Co-ordinator, Admissions: Continuing Education, Photograph to appear in Royal St Katharine’s West, 16 The Scores, St Andrews KY16 9AX. Photographic Society exhibition Telephone - 01334 462203, email - [email protected]

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On the starting block

Louise Poole (24) has recently joined Staff Development as an HR Assistant. The first point of contact within the unit, Louise is responsible for event organisation – including liaising with suppliers, venues and caterers, and preparing course materials – promoting courses and dealing with bookings. She’ll also help manage the application process for research leave. While studying at Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen, Louise undertook an industrial placement at Weatherford, an oil service company in Dyce. Shortly after graduating in 2004, she embarked on her life-changing travels around the world. “I decided to go travelling after finishing my honours degree – I think I deserved the rest! I was meant to go with a friend Louise finding her feet for just two months but ended up going solo and staying for nine. I only really ”Definitely my sky dive in New Zealand On return to Scotland and immediately came home to see my uncle (who works (12,000 feet!), snorkelling with fish in the prior to coming here, Louise worked for at the University!) getting married or sea on my Whitsunday Sailing trip, my the HR department of the Hilton Hotel in maybe I would have stayed for longer. trip to the Daintree Rainforest, seeing Dundee. I went to Australia, New Zealand, Fiji the Great Barrier Reef – amazing – and So why did this well-travelled lady and Dubai. In Australia, I bought a buss my desert safari in Dubai!” pass that allowed me to jump on and want to settle in St Andrews? – “I was off the bus as often as I wanted. I ended And any downsides to life before interested in working for a University and up meeting my future flatmate on that St Andrews? the challenges that they’re presented with. I’ve also been in a general HR very bus. I worked for a recruitment “Oh yes. Most of the hostels I stayed in role until now and was keen to try and company in Sydney, spending my were great but there was one in Fiji where specialise for a few years. I hope to gain lunchbreaks overlooking the opera I quickly checked out! There were bugs further insight into how HR fits in within house and bridge and being sent out by crawling all over the bathroom and there a different institution, gain specialist my boss every Friday lunchtime to get was a massive bug on the wall above my knowledge in Staff Development and beer to drink at our desks and get into head and I couldn’t get to sleep in case complete my postgrad in HR (CIPD)”. weekend mode!” (Sandy Wilkie – take it ended up on my face in the middle of note!) the night! It was the end of my trip and Ah … the days of travel are but a distant So, as well as the beer, enjoying stunning I went for the cheapest hostel - $£11 a memory. Or are they? night which was about £4 …so it serves sunrises and taking a trip down the ”Oh no! I’m hoping to go to Thailand me right!” real Ramsay Street of ‘Neighbours’, before my 30th”, Louise remarked! what were the best bits of her travels?

The StAndard is keen to flag up new recruits and officially welcome them to the University. If you’re the new girl or boy, or working alongside a new start, let us know and we’ll give them a mention – [email protected]

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Accessing St Andrews

Meanwhile, meet Mike Johnson, the to study Theology - (I did say it was new Education Liaison Officer in chequered). This was not easy having Admissions. no school qualifications but I embarked on an access course and, eventually, Mike (43), who is based in the Office of was accepted at the University of Scottish Recruitment and Access, joins St Andrews!” us with the benefits of what he de- scribes as a ‘chequered’ career history. After graduating, Mike went on to Moray House Teacher Training Institute “I started as a plumber’s mate, moved in Edinburgh, progressing to various on to stacking shelves, tried out window teaching posts at Viewforth High School Mike Johnson cleaning and returned to shelf stacking in Kirkcaldy, Blairgowrie High School - all good honest occupations. However, and the post of Principal Teacher at James who want to study from all areas of our I decided on a change after a friend Gillespie’s High School in Edinburgh. He society”. persuaded me to sit a test to become a also did some work with Fife’s primary nurse. By the end of my nursing training school sector. And now that he’s firmly in situe, what’s in Kent, I was not only married but had his actual job? two children, who are now 19 and 17. So, what brought him back to St Andrews? Mike said, “The Office of Scottish My Scottish wife persuaded me to move Recruitment and Access deals with the to Scotland and we’ve been here ever Mike explained, “The University of recruitment of students and, in doing so, since. I told her I’d move to Scotland to St Andrews has always had a special place we visit many different schools to give be closer to her family but she knows it in my life. It’s the place that allowed me talks about life at University and also give was really for the golf!” to study and gave me the chance to go advice on transition issues concerning Once in Scotland, Mike worked at Perth into teaching, which I loved. I can’t think higher education. We attend career Royal Infirmary and Ninewells Hospital, of a better job than to be part of a team events where we explain what we have whose remit it is to explain the benefits where he held the post of Senior Staff on offer at St Andrews. The other aspect of higher education and specifically St Nurse. But he’s not one to rest on his of the job is looking at access issues and Andrews. Having experienced being laurels… ensuring that all have the opportunity given a second chance, I’m also delighted to enter higher education, regardless of to be able to work in the area of wider “I then decided I wanted to get a degree. their status or background”. This might be a reasonable thing to access and explain to others that we, do if it wasn’t for the fact I wanted at St Andrews, are looking for people A man with a passion indeed. Weaving the web Redesigning the University web- demands of its various audiences and site – a tough task, but one which stakeholders. Phase one of this strategy new University web manager Dr will take the form of a redesign of the Stephen Evans – and his assistant current ‘look-and-feel’ and information Gareth Saunders – are relishing. structure of the site. This work is being undertaken in collaboration with an Dr Evans, who previously worked in American company, Dynamic Diagrams Dr Stephen Evans SALTIRE, has eight years’ experience (DD) - www.dynamicdiagrams.com - who of developing and maintaining a specialise in website restructuring. The new ‘web team’ will be able to offer wide variety of websites to promote help, advice and support to Schools and enhance teaching, research and Stephen Magee, Vice-Principal for and Units on all aspects of their web administration. External Relations is leading phase one presence. For more information with the help of a steering group, which about these new developments, The appointments, both based in Busi- has representatives from the major please contact either Stephen Evans ness Improvements, are part of a strategic stakeholder groups in the University. (email [email protected], ext: move to ensure that the University’s web- Regular updates on the web redesign 2242) or Heidi Fraser-Krauss, Director site is well managed, up-to-date and able project can be viewed at www.st- of Business Improvements, (email to support the information and process andrews.ac.uk/redesign. [email protected], ext: 2788).

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The Fife bird flu case – from the other side of the camera On 5 April 2006, news that a swan found dead in Cellardyke harbour was being tested for the deadly bird flu virus meant that sleepy villagers awoke to the media at large on their doorstep. By the time results confirmed the first UK case of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza, images of the quiet village had reached televisions in every corner of the globe. Overnight the community went from sleepy obscurity to the centre of international media attention. But, caught up in the media circus that morning and the days Tina and Dan brave the media scrum thereafter, were two University employees who had first reported having spent some time on the case and mention of the positive test said it was the sighting of the swan. with visiting family, called me to see if I from a swan found in Fife - we hadn’t seen could help. I went along to try and make any activity in so assumed it This is their story… a firm identification; it was definitely a must have been the swan from Rosyth, Dan Young, research fellow in the Centre swan (but I couldn’t tell whether it was a however, Cellardyke was soon mentioned for Biomolecular Sciences, kept a diary Mute or a Whooper). The DEFRA website - unbelievable! Louise Batchelor was from the date of being alerted to the confirmed my suspicion that individual reporting live from Anstruther harbour dead swan by neighbour Tina Briscoe, a dead swans are notifiable (specifically, later in the evening but there was no research technician in the Bute Medical single dead swans, ducks or geese should sign of anyone at Cellardyke harbour School. Since Tina hails from Germany be reported, as should groups of three when I looked out. or more birds of the same species or where the same virus has been found on Thursday, April 6th more than five birds of different species). several occasions this year, her level of The weather could not have been kinder Armed with the phone number and concern was sensibly higher than most to Cellardyke. I was first up and, having necessary information, I made the call. UK residents. turned the radio on and heard the tail Within an hour, the duty State Vet called end of a report ‘live’ from Cellardyke, I In this excerpt, which takes us through me back asking for more information - popped my head out of the door - yes, the days following the initial discovery, its exact whereabouts etc., by that stage the media gathering had begun. I told Dan shares his observations and thoughts it was 8 or 9pm, so collection wouldn’t my wife Celia, and she and our daughter on the ensuing media melee and the way be until the following day (along with Amy rushed off down to the harbour. the local community coped. another swan from Rosyth). Another Amy came back saying the reporters resident had the good sense to erect a Wednesday, March 29th would like to speak to me. I said I would sign warning people not to touch the bird Tina spotted the dead bird lying on the finish my porridge in comfort and and that collection had been arranged. slipway in the afternoon. She thought wanted to get ready for work before even We later found out that another resident it was a swan but another neighbour thinking about having a look. At her had spotted something in the water two had suggested it was a heron. Her third asking, I eventually relented. The days earlier but couldn’t tell what it was. husband tried phoning the HSE and next two hours were a whirl of standing, Environmental Health but both were The corpse (with a head - contrary to sitting and walking for cameras, speaking closed (out of office hours). Tina then circulating myth) was collected around into microphones and giving accounts tried to report it to the police who midday, Thursday, March 30th and, and answering questions. Tina and I suggested she contact the RSPB; they in until the news broke on Wednesday, at last managed to get away to work turn suggested DEFRA. At that point Tina, April 5th we heard nothing more. First (past the police checkpoint at the 3km

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from the continent, the faint possibility that this could be our first victim of this virus did go through my head. There is still a question mark over exactly where the swan came from but, prior to it being washed up at Cellardyke, there had been fairly sustained, strong, onshore winds for several days so it quite possibly died at sea and got carried to our doorstep. Since that hectic Thursday after the news broke, there has been a steady trickle of follow-up calls from the media (and an ever growing pile of newspapers at home for the scrap-book). With the easing of restrictions, there was another blip of media interest - satellite vans returning to the epicentre to see how Cellardyke was fairing. Now there is news of a different strain of avian influenza in Norfolk, it seems likely the media circus will congregate there and allow Fife to return to normal. Just another day in Cellardyke ! Throughout the whole event, I was very impressed by the way our local councillor, boundary) although I didn’t get much I had a slightly less disrupted day at Elizabeth Riches, spoke and handled the done as there were countless phone- work. Back in Cellardyke, Ross Finnie situation. It would have been all too calls during the day - these included a and Menzies Campbell paid visits, easy for the area to be blighted by this snippet on Jeremy Vine’s Radio 2 show accompanied by more hordes of incident but I think that time will show at lunchtime and requests to be back reporters. The police had stopped the opposite and will encourage people in Anstruther to appear on Radio 4’s PM manning the checkpoint at Spalefield by to visit. and to be interviewed for Newsnight. By the time I came back that evening. the time I got back to Cellardyke the two Tina relives her side of the story from helicopters were still circling overhead. Saturday, April 8th the night the news broke… It was interesting to see the numerous Back to some sense of normality - the last two satellite vans disappeared early The news broke late in the evening film crews set up all around the harbour of 5 April that the dead swan was for their slots - Mark Austin and George on and, for rest of the day, there were a handful of photographers lingering infected with the virus carrying the H5 Alagiah virtually side by side for ITN and (haemagglutinin) subtype. According BBC. by the harbour, along with a landrover from Sky News. Since the weather was to a neighbour, the first radio vans had arrived at Cellardyke harbour by 2am. Some time in the evening, I got a phone- so good again, I took to the water in my At 6am, I heard engine noise from the call from a doctor from the Public Health kayak (from Cellardyke harbour needless harbour area, but thought it was a tractor department – he was checking up on to say) and was rewarded with a sighting cleaning the seaweed from the beach. individuals who’d come close to the of dolphins not far from the shore. corpse. We reckoned that, since I’d been Shortly after 8am, I left for work as usual, When I saw the swan on the slipway at at work that day, I was probably safely and was faced with a column of vans with Cellardyke harbour, my first thought was past the incubation time for the virus. generators, aerials and satellite dishes, disappointment that it wasn’t a heron However, he said I would need to give a reporters with cameras and notebooks, - they have almost exotic feathers on sample of blood four weeks after contact and two helicopters circling above. for antibody testing. the backs of their heads and I was quite looking forward to a close-up view of Dan was being interviewed on the slipway Friday, April 7th one. Instead, I found a very sorry-looking and I think he pointed to me saying The day began with Tina, myself and local corpse of a swan - emaciated, muddied, something like, “There she is…” And then councillor Elizabeth Riches appearing smelly and partly eaten - certainly not all hell broke loose. I was confronted by on BBC Radio West Midlands. Having photogenic (but, oh, how I now regret not countless cameras – answered the same ascertained that the 3km roadblock taking a picture for the record!) A swan is questions all over – “Could you tell us didn’t involve being sprayed with a very unusual thing to see in Cellardyke what happened?”, “Could you give a live disinfectant, I cycled to work. Tina and, with the ever closer reports of interview?”, “Could you please not smile, departed early in the day for Germany; H5N1, highly pathogenic avian influenza it’s a serious matter!” I laughed. “Your

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hair!!!! - can you do something about it?” I saw myself on the 10.30pm news and (there was a stiff breeze). “Can you look cringed. After a few stiff drinks, I went to this way?”, “Up here…!” bed listening to the midnight news on Radio 4 as usual. I heard my own voice I rang my boss to tell him that I would and cringed again. be late for work. At about 10am, I finally made it there trailed by some paparazzis But it was not over yet - at 6.50am the and mamarazzis. “Could we phone you next morning, the phone rang; Radio at work?” (“No, sorry!”), “Could we have BBC Midlands wanted a live interview… you on the Jeremy Vine show?” (“No they got it after a lot of grumbling! sorry – please ring Dan.”) Apologies, I was going to Germany that morning Dan, but you probably did a better job and had to hurry and pack for my trip. than I would have done! At 9am, a friend came to take me to Arriving at work, colleagues had already Edinburgh Airport and I left the country seen us on GMTV and heard us on radio - the best move for a long time! stations. Tucked away in the tissue On reflection, I must say I had an culture lab, I had a few hours of blissful interesting day. It was fascinating to tranquillity. But phones kept ringing, particularly at home. I regretted not participate in a programme rather than passively watching one; fascinating, too, having married a man called Smith Tina being grilled by ITV’s Mark Austin rather than Briscoe, the only one in the to see how interviews are conducted, Fife phone book. fitted into news items and broadcast. Maybe I was a bit too critical about the On returning home – more confrontation, belated reaction of the authorities, even more vans and reporters, the same maybe it was a good thing. I was, two helicopters still circling. (Why? however, impressed by their quick Doesn’t anybody worry about an ozone implementation of safety measures. hole above Cellardyke?) Some time in the afternoon, the news broke that I did not particularly enjoy this experience from all over the globe to say they had the swan had carried the dreaded N1 and I hope I’ll never be a celebrity again, seen me, I am very happy about that. But subtype. A flurry of activity followed not even for 15 minutes. Something most happy I am, about the fact that the that announcement. There was no good came out of it for me personally diseased bird was the only one found in time to eat, to talk to my daughter and though; long-lost friends contacted me Britain. Long may it remain so. grandson, who were visiting, or to hear or see the news myself. Dan and Tina – after the storm The hectic questioning carried on – could I do a live interview on 5Live? The 6.30 ITV news with Mark Austin? Quite daunting. I forgot who else I talked to. Some of the interviews were conducted together with Dan, but most of the time we were separate. I was impressed by the professionalism of the presenters, George Alagiah and Mark Austin, their interaction with their cameramen and the excellent team work. Most of the journalists were, in fact, very interesting to talk to and very polite. Few were arrogant and unpleasant. Some got basic facts wrong. Shortly before 10pm, two uniformed policemen, a sergeant and a senior officer, arrived on our doorstep – quite an alarming sight, but all they wanted was to learn, how to respond better and more promptly to phonecalls about dead birds.

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Criterion Bar, St Andrews An appreciation

By Richard A Batchelor, Research Fellow, Geography & Geosciences

In April 2006, an old St Andrews institution was resurrected. The Criterion Bar in South Street rose from the ashes to regain its old cherished name. In addition, the wonderful iron pillars which are a feature of some shops in the town (and were probably cast at the former St Andrews Foundry), were re-exposed and returned to their original condition. Many photographs of old St Andrews now adorn the walls to create a ‘local’ feeling. A framed summary of the pub’s history also hangs inside. The new Criterion Bar is a light and airy place which still provides a congenial atmosphere for The Criterion Bar, 1970s food, drinks and the ‘craic’. and currently Scottish & Newcastle. After a retreated onto the street. On other Although the site has had buildings brief incarnation in the 1990’s as Bert’s Bar occasions, he would physically remove on it since at least the 12th Century, the and then Lafferty’s, it has cast off the Irish undesirable customers and wasn’t averse present building dates from 1874 and theme image to become the Criterion Bar to throwing a punch if he considered it was occupied by John Miller, a shoe and again. appropriate. If he was in a hurry to carry boot maker. The letters JM and 1874 can out his ‘policing’ duties he would not Known as ‘The Crit’ among University be seen carved in the left and right-hand hesiste to vault over the bar. George also students and staff and as ‘The Cri’ by gable ends respectively. In the mid- had an amazing memory for his regulars’ locals, it has been a popular bar for 1880’s the building changed hands and drinking habits and would often have people of all backgrounds to meet and became a restaurant. The first attempt their favourite tipple waiting for them relax and to put the world to rights, in the to get an alcohol licence was made in at the bar before they could order. In his best tradition of a Scottish public house. 1887. At the licensing board meeting later years he was assisted at the bar by In the early 1940’s it was a popular venue which considered this application, strong Marshall Laing. On George’s last working for the local fishwives to relax in after their objections were lodged by the professors day, the crowd of locals and students arduous work at the harbour. of Divinity on the grounds that a licensed spilled out into the pavement and there house opposite St Mary’s College would Special mention must be made of the was no way of getting in the door. present a serious temptation to its longest-serving barman of the Crit – A well-known personality who frequented students. Because of this, the restaurant George (Geordie) Thom. He started work the bar was ‘Tip’ Anderson, ’s was granted a restricted licence for ale around 1950 and retired in 1983. He was local . He would sit perched on a and porter only – no spirits allowed! a masterful publican, ran a tight ship and stool at the south end of the bar and hold This situation pertained until 1893 would not tolerate any bad behaviour, court with anyone prepared to listen. when a Thomas Fleming was granted weakness or indecision: in the ‘Crit’ you Another good raconteur was David Poole, a full public house licence and thus The were served your pint - tea and sympathy a classics teacher in Dundee and a poet, Criterion Bar was born. The pub remained were served elsewhere!. On the occasion who would enjoy a good debate about in private hands until 1960 when the that a local rogue attempted to enter any topic under the sun. His devotion to breweries took over: first Mackay’s, then the bar, George just bellowed out, “You the ‘Crit’ resulted in a memorial plaque Drybrough’s, followed by The Spirit Group – out”, and the person concerned meekly being erected inside the pub.

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My personal recollections go back to 1972 when the ‘Crit’ was the venue for the Department of Geology’s Friday evening out (or TGIF – Thank God It’s Friday), a tradition begun in 1964 with the arrival of a new lecturer. Staff and students alike mingled and discussed all manner of topics. One late professor who would ignore me (a relative minion in the department) during working hours, would transform himself into a sociable and affable character in the pub. I have a particular reason to fondly remember the old ‘Crit’, as it was in there one Friday evening in 1984 that a colleague and I were discussing some aspects of geology, when we formulated a new research project – the study of fossil volcanic ashes. This work stimulated new collaborations, visits overseas and research grants, and led indirectly to my Richard Batchelor inside the‘new’ Criterion Bar obtaining my current cherished research job at St Andrews. Staff from other University departments also frequented the ‘Crit’, especially biologists from the Bute. Psychologists, botanists, geographers, linguists – they also contributed to the ‘craic’. No doubt they all have their own tales to tell, but that’s another story. In those days there was no canned ‘musak’ and you could have a pleasant conversation without electronic competition. The customers made the pub what it was. Fighting fit for summer!

Most of us would like to lose a few Within term time, the Sports Centre pounds for our summer holiday normally opens at 7.15am, to allow (and we’re not just talking about exercise before work, and usually stays female readers ...) but juggling open until 10.30pm. work and home life can mean They support walk/cycle/jog-to-work little time left for such leisurely initiatives by making showering facilities luxuries. available in the early morning. Staff interested in this should contact the Or so you thought … Sports Centre directly. At the request of an anonymous (and dare we say lazy?) colleague, The StAndard During the summer there are staff/ has done the hard work for you and student fitness classes available, mainly found out what exercise classes are open during lunchtimes and the dates, days before, during and directly after work and times will be available on their web this summer. There’s no excuse now … site soon (www.st-andrews.ac.uk/sport/). The Sports Centre opening times are as They also run a programme of morning follows - and evening community fitness classes 27 May – 25 September which anyone can attend. The full programme of approximately 25 staff/ Monday - Thursday - 9am – 8pm student and 20 community classes per Friday – 9am – 7pm week re-commences in September. Weekends – 11am – 6pm

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A wide range of sport, exercise and fitness opportunities are available at the Sports Centre including fitness classes, fitness suite access, badminton, tennis, squash facilities, sports leagues (squash, for example), jogging trails, table tennis and much more. They also run a fitness consultancy service for those who would like advice about where to start and for those needing to know how to progress their training. A spokesman for the Sports Centre said, “There is, we hope, something for everyone and we are always happy to chat to members of staff who would like to find out more, look around the facility, enquire about membership or join one of our classes.”

For more information, browse www.st-andrews.ac.uk/sport, telephone 01334 462190, pop into the Centre in person, or email [email protected] Raising the flag Later this summer St Andrews will described as ‘the Olympics of genealogy Geneaology and the find itself awash with colour and and heraldry’. week-long event pageantry when an international will involve a series During the opening ceremony for the 27th event heralds its arrival to the of lectures on the International Congress of Genealogical town. subjects in and around and Heraldic Sciences (21-26 August) the University. Around 300 heraldic experts and the University will be presented with a aficionados from across the globe will specially created heraldic processional The opening ceremonies, at the Younger descend upon St Andrews in an event banner, a ‘gonfannon’. The Lord Lyon will Hall on Monday 21 at 3pm, promise to be also grant supporters (lions) and a crest to a ‘singular and quite unusually memorable the University to add to its arms. event’ and will be of historic significance. It will be the first time since the Middle Ages Organiser Mark Dennis nominated that heralds of several countries have met St Andrews as an ideal venue for its ‘beauty together in State and will be a colourful and sense of history’ and has been planning affair with the University’s traditional robes it for the last four years. Mark is Secretary and maces intermingling with state dress, General to the organising committee and civic robes, tabards and armorial banners. lives in St Andrews (he is also married to A veritable feast for the eyes, visitors are University biochemist Dr Rona Ramsay). promised the sight of a lifetime. Professor Andrew Pettegree, Head of the School of History, is also represented on Heralds from South Africa to Russia and the committee as the School administers Canada, from Spain to Norway and our the St Andrews Fund for Scots Heraldry. own British Isles and other countries are expected to be represented during the It is the first time in 44 years that the event. The Presiding Officer of the Scottish biennial event will be held in Scotland. Parliament, George Reid MSP, will deliver Edinburgh was the Scottish host city in the plenary address at 1pm. After the 1962 when its Patron was HRH The Duke opening ceremony the entire assembly of Edinburgh. The St Andrews event is expected to process through the town is honoured to have as its Patron his to Parliament Hall for an official reception daughter, HRH The Princess Royal. – and everyone is invited! The theme of the conference this year The event promises to be For further information visit the official is Myth and Propaganda in Heraldry and a colourful spectacle website: www.congress2006.com

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Just one cornetto! By Miss Whippy

The staff in Student Support Services always like a challenge and this was one that members of staff were falling over themselves to offer their services. Test ice-cream? Now, that is a challenge – NOT! Student Support Services staff and sweet things … go together like strawberries and cream. I almost said like fish and chips but I have never had that flavour of ice cream (although there is Irn Bru flavour to go with it!) It used to be you could only get vanilla, strawberry, chocolate and “neapolitan” (a combination of the three). But what flavours there are nowadays! You just about name it and you can get it - like pineapple cheesecake, caramel shortbread, rhubarb and custard and the one that was our chosen favourite - but that’s for later! Our samples were taken from three local ice cream shops, as well as different types of ice cream bought in the supermarket. Jannettas Luvians Thorntons They have loads of flavours which are They do not have so many flavours but They only have eight flavours and it was changed frequently, with new ones there was still a lot of choice. And nice the most expensive - £1.40 a scoop with being concocted all the time. And lots sugar cones with thistles printed on no reduction when buying multiples. of different types of cones (‘pokey hats’) them which are bound to appeal to the too. Cost £1 a scoop - but much better tourists coming to St Andrews. Cost 90p • Succulent Strawberry which we value in multiples. a scoop and, again, the more you choose, thought was the best strawberry one the cheaper it gets - £2.90 for 4. The staff and it even had chunks of strawberry We bought four flavours in a tub for £3:- were very friendly and, if you are taking in it!; • Sky Blue - bright blue ice cream with the tub home, they wrap it up in bubble • Munchy Maple Brazil Nut which we sweeties throughout. The colour was wrap – if you can wait that long to eat it! did not like much at all as we thought a bit off-putting; there was too much Maple syrup • Passionfruit Sorbet which we decided taste and seemed a little synthetic; • Caramel Shortbread which our tasters was delicious and perhaps for the found rather bland and tasteless; more sophisticated palate; • One taster had a double cone with Chocolate Heaven and Rum and • Strawberry – for which Luvians won • Elderflower Sorbet which we thought Raisin flavours and the big selling a national ice cream award; was very refreshing; point for it was that what appeared • Raspberry Ripple only our tasters • Raspberry Ripple which our tasters to be a chocolate finger stuck in the didn’t like the raspberry taste. voted the best raspberry ripple of all ice cream was actually a finger of the ones we tried; fudge! • Lemon Meringue Pie which we thought was fab - you could even taste the pastry!

Our work was not done (gee, it’s hard working for Student Support Services!)….we tried:-

Ben and Jerry - Cherry Garcia Flavour – which we really really liked; Haagen Daz – Cookies and Cream Flavour – which resembled vanilla ice cream with mouse droppings through it! It tasted like Oreo cookies although we felt it could do with more cookies in it; Mackies – Raspberry Ripple – which we thought tasted rather synthetic and tasted more like Benylin than raspberry.

So, after all our hard work (and it was hard!), what have we decided? Besides deciding that we could be the University’s Official Tasters for food and drink (and for no retainer either!), we all liked some and disliked others. But our resounding favourite was the Lemon Meringue Pie flavour from Luvians. And I could write more but you will have to excuse me – I am off for another Lemon Meringue Pie flavour tub and it’s only 10am!

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Guess where?

Again, we take a closer look at some of the town and gown’s most distinctive features – can you guess what it is yet? Answers on page 35

1 2 3

4 5 6

7 8 9

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The wind of change

The University recently unveiled from sources that release much proposals to introduce a range less, or no, carbon dioxide – one of renewable energy technology of the major greenhouse gases including Wind, Solar and Biomass, causing global warming. As a with consideration being given to both result, these sources of energy small and large-scale developments must form a growing part of a capable of supplying heat and robust energy portfolio since electricity to University buildings and it is clear that tackling climate processes. change is a major challenge that the world is facing. Exploitation of this technology will dramatically cut our level of carbon In the UK there is increasing emissions and deliver long-term savings use of renewable energy and and demonstrable benefits to the Government targets have been environment. set to generate more electricity from renewable sources. It is my The proposals and the implications view that everyone has a part to and opportunities presented by the play in supporting an increase in application of renewable technologies in renewables, from the home to St Andrews will be considered in detail large industry, although clearly by the University Court later this year. this should be achieved in an But the proposals are likely to spark environmentally sensitive way. controversy. All energy sources have impacts on the environment – of different Dr Roddy Yarr, the University’s scales and duration. Renewables Environment and Energy Manager, can have impacts on biodiversity, believes people should educate landscape, transport and air themselves before they criticise. quality. The challenge is to find So read on … practical ways that have less impact than the traditional fuels Roddy Yarr Renewable energy technologies (or we currently depend on. ‘renewables’) – such as wind, solar, biomass (crops grown for use as fuel Renewable technologies are of supply, better cost certainty compared and other organic materials), wave, tidal advantageous in their diversity, scale and to fossil fuels and improved energy and hydro – provide low carbon sources range of uses to meet different needs for transmission. I believe that the uptake of of energy. Of course, we urgently need heat and power. It is my belief that there a diverse renewable range of renewable to reduce energy use and one way of needs to be a mix of renewable solutions, energy options will give communities doing this is by adopting more efficient not just the ones that we all read about more control over their energy use and technologies, and to generate energy in the press such as wind power or solar. Other exciting technologies such as still satisfy society’s growing thirst for biomass and the use of fuel cells must heat and power. also play a part. Similarly, renewable Do you have an opinion on renewable technology needs to fit into a mix of energy or any other University or other more traditional energy sources so town-related matter? Email us at that it can be scaled up over time. [email protected] with Looking to the future, the growing use your views. of renewables will ultimately begin to decentralise energy supply, replacing large power stations with smaller local sources of heat and power. This would Biomass crop harvesting bring with it certain benefits – for security

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It’s all academic

What attracts leading academics to St Andrews and what makes them stay? This feature focuses on individual researchers, looking at their achievements so far and their hopes for the future. The StAndard spoke to two academics with diverse research interests – fantastic plastic and German literature.

NAME: Ifor Samuel POSITION: Professor of Physics. AREA/S OF RESEARCH: Organic semiconductors, biophotonics. What made you choose this field of research? Most of my work concerns plastic-like materials which can conduct electricity Professor Ifor Samuel and emit light. These are very unusual of the organic semiconductors I work What do you most enjoy about properties for plastics so I wanted to with relate to their structure. This will your work? understand how this was possible. There then enable the design of materials with are lots of basic physics issues to explore desired properties – so instead of just I really enjoy developing new ideas in these materials, but it also appeals trying something to see if it works, we and trying them out. I also really enjoy to me that improved understanding will be able to take a much more rational understanding how the materials could advance their use in practical (and efficient) approach. work, and how light-emitting devices applications. For example, when made from them work. In fact I like connected to a battery, these plastic Another reason is the range of almost anything to do with making and semiconductors can give out red, green applications. Most us now spend most measuring light. I use many different or blue light, forming the basis of a new of the day looking at displays of various lasers to study the materials I work display technology. However, it’s not types – particularly our computer with. I like explaining my work to others just the applications – by measuring the screens. They are not as good as we’d through teaching and public lectures, for light-emission, we can learn about the like which is why most people print out example. I’m fortunate that, with light- physics of the material and this synergy long documents in order to read them. emitting materials, there’s something between the basic understanding and It is exciting to be working towards attractive to see. In fact, some of my the application particularly appeals to something better. In the longer term, light-emitting materials toured the world me. there are other possible applications in a Design Council exhibition. including solar cells with their obvious Why is your research relevance to the energy crisis. In addition When I lecture, I like to develop important? there are major opportunities in the demonstrations that show the physics in biomedical field – including the work on action. I went into Argos a few months Advances in materials underpin many ago and was served by a student I had aspects of modern life. For example, developing an improved therapy for skin cancer. taught in first year who commented how the inter-continental air travel we now much she had liked the demonstration of take for granted is made possible by More recently, I’ve been exploring a nuclear chain reaction I showed. When advances in metallurgy, enabling jet uses of light in biology and medicine I’m teaching a course I’m always trying engines. The precise control of silicon (biophotonics). For example light to think of new demonstrations and gives us modern electronics including can be used in combination with a whether it’s using three slide projectors our computers and the precise control pharmaceutical cream to treat some to show colour mixing, getting a class of silica gives optical fibres which carry skin cancers. I’ve been working on a throwing ping-pong balls for ideal gas our telephone calls and the internet. new approach to this in collaboration theory or colliding eggs at high speed In my work, I aim to develop a detailed with Professor Ferguson at Ninewells for particle physics, I like the way our understanding of how the properties Hospital. teaching technicians help me to make it a

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reality and make it work. Finally, like many from solution in the world. As well as those possibilities. I also see a major role modern areas of research, my activities being extremely efficient, the materials for light emission in the understanding, lie at the interfaces between disciplines, are capable of being printed, giving the diagnosis and treatment of disease. and I enjoy working collaboratively to scope for simple fabrication of light- What attracted you to tackle ambitious problems, and being emitting displays. The technology is now St Andrews? exposed to an even wider range of ideas being commercialised by Cambridge and perspectives than exist in physics. Display Technology Ltd. Another very The School is extremely strong in the field interesting finding has arisen from the of optoelectronics and internationally What is the most interesting collaboration with Ninewells Hospital renowned for laser development. In finding you have made? which is that we can use our light- addition, my work complemented the There are two that I would like to highlight. emitting diodes to make a portable and existing activities and vice versa, giving The first is that in collaboration with Dr wearable light source that can be used an excellent intellectual environment in Paul Burn, a chemist in Oxford, I invented to treat skin cancer. which to develop my work. a new class of organic semiconductor – And what developments and/ light-emitting dendrimers. As the name And what makes you stay here? or challenges do you fore- implies, dendrimers are highly branched see in the future? St Andrews remains an excellent molecules – a bit like snowflakes. We environment in which to develop my developed a concept in which different I’d like to see the light-emitting research, and I have developed successful parts of the molecule would have dendrimers develop into a major display local collaborations here. I like the town different functions (e.g. controlling technology – though that may depend and its proximity to the sea, and enjoy colour of light emission, controlling as much on commercial as technical being able to walk to work. solublility). It took more that six years to considerations. The advantages of the go from this concept to having the most dendrimers should apply in other areas efficient light-emitting diodes made such as solar cells, so I’d like to explore

NAME: Helen Chambers POSITION: Professor of German. Area/s of research: Nineteenth and early twentieth-century German literature, Anglo-German cultural relations, translation studies and reception history. What made you choose this field of research? I began working in the field of nineteenth-century German literature because I wanted to find out more about the novels of Theodor Fontane. The supple, ironic prose of this humane writer is undervalued outside Germany, where he is well known as the leading realist writer of his age. Why is your research im- portant? As an ‘Auslandsgermanist,’ my work involves investigating and propagating cultural transfer between the German and non-German-speaking world. By engaging with German and Austrian literature and culture we can arrive at a better understanding of what we have in common with other cultures and what is distinctive about them. I have a particular interest in reception history, that is what Professor people read and when, and how they Helen Chambers

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reacted to it and why. The answers to the Weimar Republic. He is best known cut or adjusted. The symbolic value of these questions are illuminating for a for his novel of Habsburg decline, shrubberies as locations where private better understanding of the processes The Radetzky March and for Marlene exchanges unfit for the socialised space of cultural transfer: what brings people Dietrich’s favourite, Job, but his literary of the drawing room can take place together and what keeps them apart. journalism is in the top rank and is much was often lost. The most puzzling loss appreciated by today’s undergraduates was the eradication by the translator of A researcher working from outside the as prescient commentary on urban and all Jane Austen’s references to freckles. target culture typically brings a different global phenomena such as crime, leisure There is, and was in the 1820s, a set of assumption. They come, if you like, activity and technological progress perfectly good German word for freckles with different cultural and intellectual today as well as in the 1920s. – Sommersprossen – and I have yet to baggage from an insider. My approach find a satisfactory explanation. to German and Austrian literature, for What do you most enjoy about example, is coloured by a background your work? And what developments and/ in Scottish and British traditions of or challenges do you fore- What I enjoy most is the detective work pragmatism, empiricism and humour. see in the future? involved in piecing together critically the An academic paper I delivered analysing available evidence on a writer’s work: One challenge is to continue to work the limitations of the standard English reading the literary works themselves in at modifying the gender balance of translation of Fontane’s most famous conjunction with contemporary reviews, the canon of standard works studied in novel, Effi Briest, led to the commissioning correspondence and autobiographical University courses in German literature. of a new translation by Angel Books, a writings - getting a sense of the thought In the light of my recent research, I hope publisher of modern, quality translations patterns of an artist and building up an that it will possible to produce new of European classics. Angel’s managing understanding of what made them tick editions of works by writers such as Marie editor was in the audience at the con- and how works of literature came into von Ebner-Eschenbach, Ada Christen, ference and saw the need for action. being. Clara Viebig and Ricarda Huch so that The translation was a co-production by they can be studied alongside their What is the most interesting my husband Hugh Rorrison and myself. better known male contemporaries. finding you have made? It was taken over by Penguin Classics in What attracted you to 2000 and has now gone into its second That there is a substantial and diverse St Andrews? edition. This is probably the most body of humorous and ironic writing important and lasting contribution to by nineteenth-century German women The opportunity to apply for a chair in Anglo-German cultural exchange and writers, as my forthcoming book on the my homeland, and a chance to improve indeed European literature that I’ve subject will show. This is a little-known the gender balance at senior levels of the had the privilege of making, though it fact. I expect eyebrows will be raised. profession. I was also tempted by the isn’t strictly speaking research activity. I also made some curious discoveries thought of returning to the place where It has allowed Fontane’s work to reach a when I researched nineteenth-century I had my first job – leading donkeys on worldwide audience in a form closer to German translations of Jane Austen. the beach. the original than was previously possible. There are only two: Persuasion and Pride And what makes you stay here? It was the New York Times’ Book of the and Prejudice, produced at a time when Month in 2001. I approached working translations of Scott were ten a penny. The scale, the students and the sea. with my husband on this joint project The German translator clearly found The University of St Andrews, with top- with trepidation as he is an exacting Mrs Bennett’s pronouncements too class departments in a limited number operator. It proved, however, to be one outrageous for her readership and cut of disciplines, has the advantages of the most rewarding and harmonious most of the wilder, funnier dialogue, of a world-class institution without pieces of professional collaboration I substituting a bland account of the plot the disadvantages that inevitably go have experienced. Work I have done on development in the relevant scenes. with the vast bureaucracies of larger the reportage of the Austrian Jewish Jane Austen is full of references to lawns establishments. In German it would writer Joseph Roth has thrown light on and shrubberies, and given the lack come into the category of ‘klein aber fein’ his importance as an astute commentator of familiar German equivalents at the (‘small but high quality’). on the phenomena of modernity during time it was less surprising to find these

Nominations for this feature are welcome – email your suggestions to [email protected]

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Turning creative minds into business brains

Earlier this year, the University unveiled plans for its new Institute for Capitalising on Creativity. The Institute, which will be housed in the Crawford Arts Centre, will offer a Masters in Creativity Management, empowering Professor Barbara Townley, The Gateway creative individuals from every corner of the world to better manage their own Success in Creative Industries is not Management School at the University of career or team, while continuing to hone just important for this sector alone. St Andrews along with the Royal Scottish their individual creative practice. As recognised by the recent Cox Academy of Music and Drama; Duncan of Professor Barbara Townley, Institute report, commissioned by the Treasury, Jordanstone College of Art and Design, Director, believes the time is right: business generally, and manufacturing ; and the School of in particular, has also recognised that Computer and Creative Technologies, Did you know that music and computer it needs to pay more attention to the at the University of Abertay have games earn as much in exports as creative sector, especially design, to be launched the new Masters in Creativity steel and textiles? Or that consumer able to compete internationally. The Management. This programme is unique spending in music (instruments, live manufacture of well crafted goods can in allowing students to combine creative performance and recordings) is worth £4 no longer be relied upon, and certainly practice with management knowledge billion annually? Creative Industries are competition on price alone is very and skills. It challenges conventional becoming recognised as an important difficult; manufactured goods reflecting understandings that creative individuals and growing sector of the UK and a distinct design are the way to ensure a are reluctant or unable to understand global economy. Increased affluence competitive advantage. the challenges of management in and consumer spending on leisure and launching their own business. Being services ensures that, in the UK, the sector Although some sectors, TV and successful creatively means taking risks is growing twice as fast as the economy publishing for example, are dominated and seizing opportunities based on a as a whole. The UK has a recognised by large industries, employment in the deep understanding of the field; just strength in the area, be this in advertising, Creative Industries tends to be in micro- the skills and approach that successful music, design, performance, fashion, businesses of fewer than ten employees, creative entrepreneurs also need. media or computer games, and the UK freelancers and sole traders. It is the small government has been investing heavily companies that provide the creative For more details, see www. in a number of initiatives that support work and generate the ideas for the large capitalisingoncreativity.ac.uk the almost one million individuals who multinationals. Higher education has also work in the sector. Investment that is recognised it has an increasing role to increasingly important with increased play in developing the knowledge base competition from China, India, US and and skills for the creative and cultural Europe. entrepreneur, which is the reason why the

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Down on the farm! - new facility for climate change initiative Researchers from the Schools of Geography & Geosciences and Biological Sciences are pioneering a new approach to help unravel the mysteries of climate change. Ocean sediments provide an important archive from which the long-term history of climate change can be determined. Single-celled marine organisms called Foraminifera produce tiny shells, the trace element contents of which are affected by the environmental conditions prevailing at the time they are produced. By analysing fossil shells, preserved in marine sediments, scientists can estimate past seawater temperatures and conditions. In order to improve our understanding of how shell chemistry is controlled by important environmental variables, St Andrews scientists have The Culture Vultures: left-to-right – Dr Nicky Allison, established a novel sea-water culturing Professor David Paterson, Dr Bill Austin and Dr Heather Austin system at the , funded by the Natural Environment transported by ocean circulation from expertise and support at the Gatty Marine Research Council. the tropics to the high latitudes. If that Laboratory to facilitate this initiative.” circulation system weakens then our Dr Bill Austin, Reader in Geography & Dr Heather Austin, Research Fellow, climate becomes colder. We know, Geosciences explained, “One of the explained how the project started - “I based on evidence from Foraminifera, big challenges facing us at the present joined the School of Biological Sciences this has happened repeatedly in the time is the need to understand the past, sometimes with alarming rapidity. in 1999 and recognised the importance natural variability that exists within What we need to do now is improve the of the ability to culture Foraminifera the climate system. Regional climates, reliability of climate reconstructions and during my PhD project. I wanted to particularly those of north-west Europe, for that we need to understand the shell learn more about the reproduction depend heavily upon the heat that is chemistry of these amazing organisms and growth history of these organisms more fully.” as I had focused my PhD on the role of benthic foraminifera within inter-tidal Meanwhile, Professor David Paterson, food-webs, particularly their role in Gatty Marine Laboratory, whose the transfer of carbon within estuarine Sediment Ecology Research Group are environments. Bill works on the fossils hosting the new facility commented, “The of the same group and was very excited new state-of-the-art facilities, which have when I managed to keep Foraminifera been constructed in partnership with alive and reproducing in the laboratory. the School of Geography & Geosciences We’re ‘farming’ on a very small scale are an exciting development. We are here!” working at the interface between the Fantastic Foraminifera: specimens Earth, Ocean and Biological Sciences Dr Nicky Allison, Research Fellow in of Elphidium williamsoni showing – and the challenge is to break down Geography & Geosciences, explained the the characteristic green colouration the traditional subject barriers. We are chemistry behind the culture experiments associated with their feeding habit extremely lucky to have the technical - “We can grow the Foraminifera under

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tightly controlled conditions then see how the chemistry of their shells is affected by changes in the environment, for example the seawater temperature. To do this we need to be able to analyse the shells on a very fine scale so that we can differentiate between material deposited under different conditions. Bill and I have recently developed an analytical technique, called secondary ion mass spectrometry, so that we can analyse small areas of Foraminifera (~30µm in diameter) to investigate how trace metals are distributed in the shells. Our preliminary work, on specimens collected from out in the Irish Sea, indicates that the shell chemistry is much more complicated than we Feeding-time: Dr Heather Austin in the laboratory had previously thought and suggests then work out how the shell chemistry of Earth Sciences, University of that the trace metal distribution is also is affected by shell growth as well as affected by some biological processes. Cambridge) and Dr Joan Bernhard environmental conditions.” In the new facility we can keep a close (Woods Hole Oceanographic eye on the Foraminifera to see how Project partners outside StAndrews Institution, USA). For more quickly they are growing and when they include co-investigator Professor information, contact Bill Austin email: add new material to their shells. We can Harry Elderfield FRS (Department [email protected] Peripheral vision The inaugural conference for the University’s Centre of Film Studies will be held this month. With the theme ‘Cinema at the Periphery’, the major international conference (15-17 June 2006) will involve a host of experts in film from around the World. Looking at the notion of films at the ‘periphery’, the conference will explore accented cinema, transnational cinema and minor cinema, as well as peripheral locations, from to Iran and Singapore to Scotland.

Talks will be given on a range of related subjects including Japanese cinema, National-Iranian silent cinema, small national cinemas and Baz Luhrmann and Australian cinema. Conference organisers have also teamed up with the A scene from Morvern Callar , the 2002 film made in Scotland in St Andrews and the cinema at Dundee Contemporary Arts to set up a programme of special screenings for delegates during the conference - check the Film Studies website for further details: www.st- andrews.ac.uk/modlangs/filmstudies

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Money in, Money Out The second in our series of articles looking at University income.

By Chris Lusk, Director, Student Support Services I find myself getting mad at the way some of my tax goes on tiny roundabouts in St Andrews suburbia. I have difficulty when I hear that Cherie Blair has spent so much on her hair. Michael Howard’s make-up? Benefit? Therefore, in the spirit of transparency and, hopefully, in trying to reassure people that we aren’t spending too much money on my own hair, I’ve been asked to write on the money given to the University for disability services. It’s a dry subject. But it’s an essential part of our ability to meet the needs of those within our community. It also might put to rest the myths I hear frequently: University Disability Team – left-to-right – Ailsa Ritchie, Emma Browne, Helen Stevens, Sarah Nicolls and • “Get whatever we like – the (absent from photo) Janice McGregor government pays for disability” community and therefore you all have students covered by the act. Therefore, “What we need are lifts everywhere • a right to know what it has been spent there are legislative forces influencing – that would solve the problem” on. Secondly, I acknowledge that there our working practices. • “The University hasn’t got any is a huge amount of work to be done to However it is more than this; there is disabled people” get our University buildings accessible. a point of principal here. Whatever “We can’t take disabled people – the But we must refuse to do nothing and • you understand the purpose of this buildings are too old” sit startled like rabbits in the headlights. institution to be – teaching, research, Thirdly, it is immoral, in my opinion, knowledge transfer, society betterment There isn’t much money. Initially, to return any money to the funding - most people I have met here agree that Estates made a rough estimate that councils. Whatever happens, it hurts me they want to include as many people as the figure needed to make the whole to give away money to anyone. I cannot is appropriate to join in the University of the University accessible would be physically give it to the Government. community. Appropriateness has to be something in the region of £10 million. They already have my tax. That is now outdated and was only an on the basis of academic ability, not on estimate, even at the time. Nobody really To put some of the myths to bed - we physical ability, creed, race, whatever. knows how much it would cost. The currently have 675 students registered If we proudly hold ourselves up to be a challenge is massive. with a disability – ranging from visual centre of academic excellence, we have impairment, cerebral palsy, to learning to look for that excellence irrespective But we do have some small government difficulties such as dyslexia. The Disability of the packaging. A second point of pots that are offered from time to time Discrimination Act makes it unlawful principal is that we should be inclusive – all with conditions and time limits to discriminate against students with without making lots of individual attached. a disability and requires reasonable arrangements but by being proactive I write this from basic principles. Firstly, adjustments to be made to courses and and ensuring we can, where possible, the money is given to the whole their presentation to accommodate have put in place systems to meet what

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would be anticipated by any student theatres, high visibility stair nosings and (at a cost of £2800) offering guidelines with a disability. It simply makes life so providing telephone where access to members of staff in the University on much easier for everyone. is difficult. The expenditure is usually on how to actually apply the legislation, many small items, but they all add up to the material cost of which is nothing The job of ensuring that all students a better environment for disabled staff compared to the implications that this achieve their full academic potential, and students. Gradually, the estate is has on staff time and planning across the while maintaining a strict standard base being brought up to speed. There are University. A small price, but potentially of the academic targets to be achieved, more disabled toilets and easier signs. a big difference for the confused staff can have costs and it is one of the tasks of member faced with what to do. those in SSS to ensure that the resources Alternative Format Suite - This unit, we have are used to the best effect. unique in Scotland and now gaining Of course, as well as this, the University fame, is creating a permanent library itself commits resources in their So where does all the money come from of electronic text which can then be ongoing Estates refurbishments and to support students with disabilities? adapted to any format for disabled new builds. All such work must comply There are two main streams of income; print users. This allows us to convert with standards of accessibility such as individually based and institutionally text into Braille, large text or electronic ensuring lifts in new buildings, visual based. speech for visually impaired and blind contrasts in décor, etc. students. Paresh Ravel, Manager, selects Those of you with direct contact with Overall, of course, the University and trains over 50 volunteers to carry disabled students will know that many mainstreams most of its support in terms out this work. The money has bought have their own specific equipment, such of staff time - the Disability Section here, everything for this project from sound as voice-activated computers, predictive and in IT, and Disability Coordinators in booths and recording equipment to text software, adapted keyboards, mini Schools. But many staff in residences, computers and flexible keyboards. disk recorders. Each UK home student and clerical, also contribute and the students frequently account back to with a disability has an entitlement for Equipment - to lend to students who us on the goodwill and help they’ve the Disabled Student Allowance which may not qualify for DSA e.g. overseas received throughout their time here. comes from their local funding council. students. We also have a bank of loan Our Disability Team in Student Support equipment - e.g. laptops, magnifiers, Ten years ago, when I came into the assist’s the student with their application mini disk recorders etc. to lend to position of the first Disability Advisor in which is based on an assessment of students whilst they await their own this institution, we had a toilet marked needs by an independent assessor. equipment or whilst their own is fixed or ‘disabled’, but it was so small that, if being replaced. This is essential to allow anyone actually got into it, the door The other money stream is an in- students to continue with their studies couldn’t be shut. We had no facilities for stitutional, annual allowance from the since, unfortunately, the assessment blind students – testified by the blind Scottish Funding Council. Allocation is process and application to local prospective student that we turned away based on the current numbers of students authorities for funding can slow down only to see him in the newspapers with a with disabilities. For the year 2005/6 this double first from Cambridge three years was £106,000. This money can be used the equipment coming through by as later. We had a disability ramp which was by the University for building adaptation much as six months. so steep it was like a grand slalom. And if or supplying specific equipment or In addition, the Funding Council anyone had come to ask for a prospectus staffing to the University to support occasionally makes special grants to it would have come in one format. I hope these students. It is used to ‘level’ playing the University for particular disability that, although the task will be ongoing, fields both academically and in our projects. In 2004/5, £327,000 went people can now view a slow change in residential accommodation. Standards towards building improvements. These the culture for disabled students and are watched carefully – we must avoid included £188,000 for developing the staff. advantage. However, the money offered infrastructure in the Library, £76,000 for is never promised by SHEFC. Each year, the Maths Building and £6,000 for United We have just heard that we are to have there is doubt as to whether or not it will college, to name but a few. The building another £122,000 forthcoming this be forthcoming and announcements works were identified after inviting year. If anyone has burning ideas of don’t take place until April. This makes departments all through the University what we should spend some of this on, long term planning with this money to bid for money, and criteria for inclusion if you’ve noticed anything obvious in our difficult. included works benefiting the greatest buildings that needs to be fixed, let us know. Last year our monies were spent in three number of students, or the priority need main areas - of a student currently studying in the And, if any of you have seen me recently, institution and requiring more access. you can testify to the fact that I have not Estates Building Work - increasing In 2003/04, in a collaborative effort spent one penny on my hair. access to buildings for users, automatic with members of Academic Support door closers in halls of residences, Office and the Deans, the publication I pledge to maintain this high moral signposting, induction loops in lecture “Academia and SENDA” was produced stance.

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Combing the collections

Once again, the Special Collections the 1640s, the government commission team attempt to answer one of your which reported on the state of the questions on a subject that might University encouraged golf and archery, be enlightened by the collections but prohibited ‘dicing and carding’. in their care. It might be an obscure A student golf society was founded in aspect of University or local 1854, although we know an earlier one history, a photographic issue or a had existed. Minutes of the club survive bibliographical mystery. Send future from 1867 onwards. And of course, the questions to magazine@st-andrews. competition for the Boyd Quaich and ac.uk the scholarships keep the What can you tell me about the history University’s golfing tradition alive today. of golf in St Andrews? But golf figures largely in more than Norman Reid, Keeper of Manuscripts and just the University records. Within our Muniments, answers on behalf of the manuscript collection - in the records Special Collections team. of the Burgh of St Andrews itself - lies the famous ‘Golf Charter’. Not, strictly Where to begin…? speaking, a charter at all, the document The University’s own records set the (dated 1552) is an agreement between scene. Obviously, the students and the town and Archibishop Hamilton, Norman Reid staff of the University have for a long which makes a co-incidental reference courses, and many letters, from the 18th time been amongst the players - James to the rights of the townspeople to century onwards, referring to the playing Melville, for instance, in his diary of play golf on the links. And the Council of the game. his student years from 1570 - 1574, minutes and records, from early times, admitted that he spent much time on are peppered with information about As you might expect, too, we are rich ‘archerie and goff’, and in the 1620s the the links and those who used them for in the literature of the game, and the Duke of Montrose spent some of his a variety of purposes. In various private collections include some of the rare leisure on the links. At various times, of collections too we find golfing material. old classic golfing texts as well as many course, students were prohibited from The papers of the estate, modern works, some of which have pursuing activities which detracted for instance, will tell you about disputes been heavily dependent on resources from their studies (such as football), or over the use of the links for a commercial provided by our own collections. Local were seen as unhealthy. Golf, however, rabbit warren (the ‘Rabbit Wars’), and the newspapers, of course, are also a rich was generally approved as a healthy building of roads affecting the courses; source of information. and relatively peaceful pursuit and, in there are maps and designs for the Maybe the jewel in crown is the superb historic photographic collection. Pictures of 19th century golfing groups, of heroic figures of the game, such as Old and Young Tom Morris, make it a treasure trove for historians of the game. And best of all, the photography of George Cowie, a local freelance photographer, captured on film many of the famous golfers - professional and celebrity - who visited the hallowed turf in the half century up to 1980. Danny Kaye, Bob Hope and Bing Crosby, General Eisenhower, British and European royalty figure, as well as almost all the greats of the 20th century game. The Eden tournament as well as , the , R&A captains playing in, greenkeeepers and equipment, - the list is The Ladies Putting Green (“The Himalayas”), on the Links at St Andrews

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endless. Women’s golf features too – for example the Commonwealth Ladies’ Golf and Scottish Women’s Championship, as well as earlier images of putting. And even beyond St Andrews, the Valentine Collection contains views of golf courses (and many other things) across the UK. We provide information and illustrations for golf historians all over the world. Items from the collections have recently been used in, for instance, an academic work on turf (it’s quite unusual to provide pictures of the grass, rather than the golfers!), for research into bunker design, for the Raffles Singapore Hotel’s internal magazine, and in the lavishly illustrated official history of the Open Championship by local author David Joy. th So if you want to comb the collections The Famous Road Hole (17 ), Old Course, St Andrews for golfing-related material, set aside a few weeks!

Guess where? Answers

1. S sign, North Castle Street 2. 3. Thistle on staircase, College Gate

4. Fountain, Market Street 5. Rugby scrum trainer, 6. Sand, the West Sands University playing fields

7. Bell pull, 8. Saint Andrew, Swallowgate, Queen’s 9. Stephen Magee’s hats! Butts Wynd Gardens (Vice-Principal, External Relations)

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Fairtrade – it’s official!

Staff and students are celebrating which provide real security and, for many, the University achieving Fairtrade support to gain the knowledge and skills status. they need to develop their business and increase sales. In a letter from the Fairtrade Foundation, the University was commended on At a practical level, it means that Fairtrade the quality of its submission which is food and drinks are now available across Looking to the future, Roddy added, testament to the hard work of all those University outlets and served at meetings “The University will maintain and build who made it happen. hosted by the University and Students’ on this achievement, working with staff, Association. So what does it all mean? students and the local community to Dr Roddy Yarr, Environment and Energy further develop this area of social and Fairtrade means that producers receive a Manager said, “We can all make socially ethical responsibility. It is an exciting fair price for the goods that the University responsible choices and this includes thought that the whole community of buys. The price paid covers the cost of thinking about the source of the tea, St Andrews is now delivering a Fairtrade production and guarantees sustainable coffee, juice and food that we consume”. message.” living, as well as long term contracts Eat and retreat Fancy a bacon roll before work, Staff, students and the general public a healthy lunch or a tasty tea, can choose from bacon rolls at just minutes away from your breakfast, two soups per day, baked workplace? Or a fully-catered potatoes, paninis, freshly made-to- meeting or conference venue? order sandwiches, salads and tasty home-baking. The Bistro also offers The new David Russell Apartments Bistro daily specials, including stir-frys and is open and ready for business, six days pasta dishes, and a choice of two a week, with ample parking for popping main meals every night. On Sundays, up before, during or after work. There there’s a brunch and carvery with two also facilities to use wireless laptops different roasts and accompaniments. Relaxing in the Bistro while you eat. Vegetarians are also catered for, as are fast-food fanatics, with a daily choice of chicken burger and salad, chips, curly fries, scampi and veggie burgers. There’s also a good choice of drinks, including Fairtrade tea and coffee, soft drinks, smoothies and hot chocolates. There are also special deals running daily — • soup and a panini at lunchtime (£3.50 non-students, £3 students) • any hot drink and a bacon roll (£3.50 non-students, £3 students) • any hot drink and a bacon roll (£1.95 non-students, £1.70 students) - between 8am and 11am • any hot drink and homebaking (£1.70 non-students, £1.45 students) - between 12 noon and 5pm. All food and drink can be taken away and staff can take orders by phone, ready for collection when customers arrive – just phone 013346 467119. The new Bistro replaces the former David Russell Hall coffee shop and dining room. The new, state-of-the-art apartments are now all self-catered. DRA also provide new meeting rooms, which they can provide catering for, and which If you can’t stand the heat… can seat 5-40 in term-time and 5-100 in vacation time.

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Picture this Early photographs taken by pioneering photographers Hill and Adamson have been acquired by the University. The nine ‘salt paper’ prints taken by David Octavius Hill and Robert Adamson between 1843 and 1848 strengthens the existing collection of early photographs already owned by the University. The prints, which reflect various aspects of Hill and Adamson’s art, were offered for sale to Scottish public collections, even though they would have fetched a Roslin Chapel Edinburgh’s Scott Lady Mary Hamilton substantial sum at auction. Monument The University’s purchase was made possible by the generous assistance of the National Art Collections Fund and the National Fund for Acquisitions, administered by the National Museums of Scotland. http://specialcollections.st-andrews.ac.uk University transport forum

Efficient and effective public together to achieve common aims and transport networks are vital in objectives by understanding user needs, helping make the University and enhancing existing services, increasing town successful. service/modal choice and by promoting travel planning. In order to more fully understand how best to deliver improvements in The membership of the Forum will sustainable transport, the University has include bus and rail providers, Fife Council formed a Transport Forum. and the St Andrews Taxi Association. The Forum aims to bring together David Corner, Deputy Principal and Chair organisations that can help promote of the Forum said, “This initiative will help and deliver improvements in travel and us explore where there are opportunities transport related issues. for the better transport links which the University needs to continue to be The Transport Forum members will work successful.” Do you have to take your car to work? Summer graduation This month’s graduation ceremony will see a host of deserving individuals being awarded honorary degrees. Michael Douglas, Sir Tom Farmer, Joanna Lumley and Charles Sifford are among those receiving honours during the four-day summer celebrations, which will run from 20-23 June. Degrees will also be awarded to two Nobel Prize Winners, Professor Zhores Alferov (DSc) and Professor Theodore Hansch (DSc). The full list of honorands is published in a press release on the University website.

Guess where? Credit: Alan Richardson; Pix A-R

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