175Th Hour Victory for Goldsmiths College
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ed990311.qxd 22/03/99 17:53 Page 1 (1,1) Green Week 11/03/99 The University of Surrey Students’ Newspaper No 960 Debbie Barefacts Green Week Catchpole Budget Special Fencing Star of Briefing p2 Centre Spread Surrey Pride p12 Green 175th Hour Victory Week elcome to the Green for Goldsmiths College Week Barefacts spe- Wcial! This week is all about raising awareness of Green Issues both on campus n the 26th February, the stu- NUS backed the occupation of the 3. College will now address the com- dent that no other College or administrative building from the outset. munication problem between Senior and more widely, what dents of Goldsmiths College, University can intimidate students in After 175 hours of occupation, the Management and the Students’ Union. GreenSoc are up to, and drink- OUniversity of London, voted financial difficulty into paying fees. Union proclaimed Victory. ing lots of doubles. overwhelmingly at an emergency We see this as only the start of the All of the demands were met: 4. “The college frequently calls on the General Union Meeting to occupy the fight back against fees and the loss of government to increase funding for fur- For a University at the fore- Whitehead building, containing key 1. All letters of termination were ther and higher education.” “ I therefore the grant. We will be calling a front of new technology, we offices of the College. This was as a rescinded fully support calls to ensure that stu- National Conference at Goldsmiths to could be doing a lot better in protest at the termination of the pro- dents, as well as the sector in general, learn the lessons of this victory and terms of green policy and prac- gramme of studies of eight students, as a 2. There are no longer any students being receive an adequate share of the nation’s plan the continuing campaign to tice. Turn to the GreenSoc result of non-payment of fees. 300 stu- threatened with expulsion “I can give you resources, in line with the Government’s centre pages to find out exactly defeat fees and student hardship.” dents occupied the building in support and absolute assurance that no student education pledge to prioritise education what the Union and University of the threatened eight. 110 students will be excluded from college because of at every level.” Ben Pimlott have been up to. The victory was made possible by from the College had not paid their fees her inability to pay fees, provided this can mass student involvement, over- and were also facing the possible threat be shown to be the case.” Ben Pimlott, One of the most achievable Sophie Bolt, General Secretary, said whelming support, unity of purpose, Warden of Goldsmiths College. ways of bringing a little green- of expulsion. “This occupation has set the prece- and determination. ness into your life is to recycle. GreenSoc members have been International Week - A Great Success scouring campus for deposit points, and the handy map (and even handier boxes if you live e kicked off with an ple with a special Arabic smoking in University court) will make Ferzana Khan starring in the Afro-Carribbean Society Gala Night performance International Sports pipe called an ‘argeele’ (Hubbly it even easier! WDay on the 28th of Bubbly). Friends Of Asia with their February with the help of Alex Mendhi (Henna) stall was also a GreenSoc are also interested in Langley, Sports Officer. It was fan- big attraction. All the other stalls wider concerns, not just those tastic to see so many societies par- were equally impressive. relating to campus – apparently ticipating and enjoying themselves there’s a world out there in such a sporting manner. A new Silly Night beyond Yorkies Bridge and addition to this years sports day Silly Night was held with an an Tescos. Green issues are very was arm wrestling which was a international twist, good laugh and topical at the moment, with the laugh and a sober (I think) end to a midweek relaxer to the whole proposed road taxes in London, the evening. international week. and the introduction of Genetically Engineered food, International Quiz D-Day Gala Night both of which have huge envi- Hari’s Bar hosted this ever Now this was the ultimate end to ronmental, economic and popular annual event. Quite a few the week. Why spend hundreds of social repercussions. See the societies came along and it was pounds for a world trip when you centre pages to find out how thoroughly enjoyed by all. We can spend £5 and see it all in a these issues are effecting you. even learnt a few things about span of 5 hours? Gala Night; this other countries. Thanks to Louise is when all societies showed This Green Week isn’t about Tinker who made sure that it was everybody what international piously preaching about envi- all plain sailing and in fact week is all about. We had perfor- ronmental issues, it’s not about Brilliant!! Hey! We even had a mances on culture, traditional sitting around with earnest Welsh team participating,. That’s dances and a thoroughly informa- expressions talking about how the first and last time that I saw tive view of the Athens 2004 terrible the state of the planet them, but their participation was Olympic plans. (I best book this is. It’s about raising awareness good to see and they are most wel- ticket now!) Martial arts from the of topics and events that are come to form a society. Malaysian society and colourful relevant to all our lives. And fashion show from the Friends of we think that one good way to Exhibition Night. Asia society and a live musical do this is to get people to dress Now if you missed this then you show as well. I cannot thank in green and bring along a can seriously should kick yourself real- everybody enough for making it to recycle at Silly Night on ly hard. I have never seen the union such a great success. Wednesday. See you there! so colourful and full of life. The Jay Darbar Arabic society attracted lots of peo- Overseas Students Secretary News 1&2 n Letters 3 n SEX 4 n Ents 5 n GREEN WEEK 6/7 Music 8/9 n What’s On/Films 10 n Personals 11 n Surrey Pride 12 ed990311.qxd 22/03/99 17:53 Page 2 (1,1) 2 11/03/99 The Week In Review Your Budget by James Buller uestion: Why do we put c) Sabbaticals that need to be care what happens to the people hancellor Gordon Brown delivered the govern- so much emphasis on present for reports. who lives in Iraq anymore. Any ment’s latest budget to the House Of Commons on Editor Qhaving quoracy at our news reports we receive are Tuesday. Speculation, rumours and leaks were as Student Council meetings? These groups make up the generally uninformative and C Tom Sherwen rife as ever before the announcement, but some of the minority of the turnout…..and politically biased towards the ([email protected]) Low turnout at Union meetings that’s a pretty small group of West’s ‘strong stance’ on the economic changes still came as a big surprise. isn’t a new problem here, believe people. The majority of the issue. To the West the war isn’t The Chancellor unveiled a new approach to income tax and Deputy Editor it or not students have been lazy ‘audience’ are made up of peo- about what happens to the peo- gits for as long as we can remem- ple who have an interest in the ple, they are just the unfortu- brought in measures to encourage businesses to be more Vacant ber. We pride ourselves in this result of a vote (societies, peo- nate innocent victims who get environmentally friendly. Below is how the budget will country on our superb democrat- ple running for positions etc.) caught up in all of our wars and affect the contents of Surrey students wallets. Following are Arts Editor ic system of government. The are forced to take second place the key points which affect us as students: same is also true of our Union, all The next thing to look at is to the ‘important’ issues, such Daniel Jones decisions should be made by the what gets discussed. Once as the onslaught of democracy ■ No change for alcohol ([email protected]) majority, hence the concept of again in our experience topics and control of our worlds oil Union quoracy. If we truly usually focus on detailed supply. believe in this democratic system aspects relevant to only a few ■ No change on VAT News Editor then why don’t we stick to our students, but once in a while Finally we are being told what James Buller principles and tell people to go the regulars at Student Council happens to all our hard earned ■ Pack of 20 cigarettes up 17.5p home at inquorate meetings? are shocked to find they have to beer money. Show Me The ([email protected]) This way people may start to decide on big issues affecting a Money Week is long overdue ■ Small car road tax down £55 take an interest when they realise lot of students…and guess and is now happening in that nothing is getting done anymore. what? They’re not quorate! most superfluous of weeks, Features Editor ■ Basic rate of income tax down to 22p Nick Walsh week 10. This is something stu- Of course this is all based on The problem is the people who dents have wanted for ages, and ([email protected]) our strong democratic princi- attend are either specifically it seems that the dinosaur of ■ Income tax to be paid on incomes over ples.