The Student Newspaper of Imperial College
Sports Centre plans thrown into doubt
mistic". IC's Director of Estates, DAVID ROBERTS Ian Caldwell, was in similar mind, pointing out that "In Central Lon Proposals for Imperial's new Sports don it's impossible to build any Centre faced a tough reception thing without receiving a stack of from local residents and council objections". lors when they were put forward If permission is granted, work for planning approval last month. will start early next summer on the Well in excess of a hundred year long building work which local residents have submitted would see a seven court sports hali written objections, stating (suitable for basketball, bad increased noise and traffic and the minton, five-a-side football, golf, loss of light as their principle archery etc) an 8m by 1 8m climb objections. Nonetheless, their ing wall, a dedicated aerobics decision is still far from certain gym, improved changing rooms either way - the planning commit Photo: Ed and weights training facilities and tee has agreed to come on a site Spot the space where you can fit a county standard sports hall... a series of self-contained residen visit to get an idea of the project new Centre drift across his desk tial flats erected above the current for themselves, before returning to ly encouraging, it hasn't dented over the last few years, before the Sports Centre site. make a final decision on October the optimism of Frank Murray, IC's current plan was decided upon. With a decision expected with 14th. Sports and Leisure Manager, who Speaking to Felix, Mr Murray in the next fortnight, we'll keep you Whilst the mixed support which has seen a constant stream of pro admitted to being "quietly opti posted with all new developments. the proposals faced was not entire- posals ideas and sketches for the
£36 000 loss to spell end for Summer Balls?
been set - that there is only one DAVID ROBERTS selling only 1400 of a projected for major capital projects) in 1900 tickets. order to cover the loss. This in ball. In other words, there should be no more separate ICSM Balls. Massive losses on last June's As both balls -had full ICU turn will create further problems Rumour has it that as a result of Summer Balls could result in the backing, having been organised for those seeking to guarantee the this caveat the ICU President, axe falling on these traditional by Union groups, ICU will now be necessary funding for next sum Natasha Newton, has rejected end of year parties. faced with covering these losses mer's expansion into the base the offer out of hand. Ms Newton A total of £36 000 was lost from it's own balance sheet. ments of Beit Quad which the is a medical student. on the two balls, with the "offi Whilst the Med School losses can money had been earmarked for. For now, however, the future cial" ICU Ball notching up a £14 be recovered from the remains of One alternative source of of both Summer Balls would seem 000 debt, and the Med School the old Medical School Union income has come to light, howev to be in some doubt, with the Union Ball collapsing £22 000 Reserves, finding sufficient cash to er, as it is believed that certain most likely outcome a smaller into the red. Losses on both pay off the debt on the other ball senior members of College staff scale event organised by ICU's events were due to ticket sales may be more problematic. Indeed have offered to use IC to write-off Events & Marketing Manager. failing to reach expectations, with the Union may be forced to dip the losses, in order to ensure that We'll update you as soon as there the ICU Ball, held at Alexandra into it's strategic reserves (built up the Summer Ball continues. How are any developments. Palace on the last day of term, by bar profits and designed to pay ever, one proviso has allegedly 2 News Felix . 1 October 1999 University quality contol "farce" Big Issue DAVID ROBERTS between different institutions. They so-called "light touch" approach, whereby colleges and universities ., , ,v ( HI >' ' hi are believed t be backed by senior Battle lines are being drawn figures in the government who are with a good track record in QAA asi pu x» is, planning between the two biggest players in keen to see standardised, media audits would undergo simplistic ancf' information; the Higher Eduction world over the friendly, University League Tables "screening" to see if any further format for the new Quality Assur constructed by the QAA. action were necessary. The CVCP Mx Anatomy ance system, due to be introduced Forced into a compromise, the fear that big name universities would nationwide later this year. QAA's latest plan is to split assess automatically get an easy ride,
l! despite the fact that some do not Il I ! i ill ' ( , I ! ' i 1V In the middle sits the Quality ment up into three distinct areas have n outstanding assessment his j. w1 - I lir " ii idown i >' Assurance Agency (QAA), the body (teaching & learning, student pro tory - Oxford and Cambridge, for 1 , i i I, . i irliiiii lhi ynni responsible for assessing and report gression and learning resources) ing on the quality of teaching in all each of which would be based example, have simply refused to let HE universities and colleges, which around a four point scale where the QAA audit them in the past, feto job is in the process of drawing up plans each level is described in words whilst some universities with very to re-invent itself. To one side sits the rather than numbers. Unsurprisingly, good teaching records have per the CVCP are less than impressed formed poorly in the assessment due Sound a;dvieeii:ifor%Eresrjers:: from Committee of Vice Chancellors and Principles (CVCP), the owners of the with this compromise, describing it to their admin systems.
career service- QAA, who are demanding that all as "numerical marking by the back With the new system supposedly judgements on teaching quality are door". The fact that the QAA plan to set to come on line next year (new made verbally. On the other side, mark other areas, such as curricu departmental benchmark guidelines lanffestos the Higher Education Funding lum design and content using a sim are due for release in March) a year Council (HEFCE) insists that numeri ple pass or fail system has hardly of petty squabbling, power broking cal scores should be handed out to helped to bridge the gap. and painful negotiation seems cer allow easy compromises to be made The second battleground is the tain. yearns sdbbaticaIsy::oiidz:fin d;;;:out what they've promised to do. In Brief
SABBATICAL CURSE LIFTED ter a more entrepreneurial atti union meeting, the NUS have tude to engineering. denounced this as undemocratic Early in the summer it looked as if and have forced Southampton to have a referendum in November introduction to ir Med School the so-called 'ICU Sabbatical BYELECTION LOOMS . In- updates hom The Curse' (which has seen elected to decide whether or not to to il ib li o I, sabbaticals forced to resign due A selection of Big names are confirm disaffiliation. to failing exams in each of the gathering to fight it out for the last three years) was going to hit conservative nomination for the STUDENTS STAY AT HOME again, as Med School President Kensington and Chelsea byelec- Becky England failed her 2nd MB tion. The byelection comes about The number of new students
1 as a result of the death of Alan choosing to live at home has i ', ii ; MI s first papers. This normally leads to risen dramatically, from 20.8% i 1 )lus 'ho edttandl being deemed to be in insufficient Clark during the summer, and academic standard - which must take place before Christ last year to 22.6% this year means you cannot pursue the mas. At present former Defence according to UCAS. Bizarrely, the Competitions sabbatical. However, she was for Secretary Michael Portillo is the figure rises to around 36% in tunately allowed to resit the rele hot favourite to be offered the Scotland but falls to 17% in
Win one of five Young Persons vant exams and, having passed nomination for the second safest Wales Conservative seat in the country. Railcards or ihe new Sex: Pistols this time around, took up her post in mid September. CALL FOR PAY INQUIRY ANOTHER ONE GETS AWAY FOR LECTURERS I* SHOW ME THE MONEY Southampton University has Lecturers attacked the govern More money seems to be heading become the latest major Higher ment at the TUC Conference two Reviews towards Imperial courtesy of the Education institution to quit the weeks ago for their failure to governments new Science Enter National Union of Students. They address the problems of low pay
i- i Ocean Colem ' -\ prise Challenge. Imperial has join UMIST and Imperial as the and poor conditions on a nation , 3i versu, GMT and been selected as one of eight only major institutions in Britain al scale (government policy cur Analyse This. National Centres of Excellence not to be affiliated to the NUS - rently states that pay and condi and has been awarded £2 million although the vast majority of tions are up to the individual to help "promote the importance Scottish institutions and some institution). The Association of Sports & Sociefies of enterprise in science and tech Oxbridge Colleges have also University Teachers (AUT) called nology". Experts will help to chosen not to join the national for a national inquiry on pay dis
Di i 'i ihe ond< i if E>plo guide researchers from taking student body. However, as crimination to assess the extent of ration Society md the Student their ideas from conception to the Southampton students union left the problem across the entire :Pugwash Group. market place and attempt to fos- through a debate and vote at a public sector. GOLDMAN SACHS INTERNATIONAL
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Minds. Wide Open. www.gs.com Q| Big Issue Felix . 1 October 1999 The Sports Centre
For as long as anyone can remem there's very little potential for a able... of money were thrown at suspect ber, Imperial College has been try "Sport for All" ethos in which any The last major planning attempt projects. Consequently, it was to ing to construct a new Sports Cen random group of students have a came back in 1996. Having had possible to fund such a massive tre. Since the farce which led to the decent chance of finding the facili proposals for a combined sports project. present building's current form (lack ties they're after. Moreover, the centre and halls development on This plan went to committee late of planning permission for Halls to necessity for some clubs to travel a top of the tennis courts next to Lin- in Autumn 1996 and, faced with be built on top only became appar considerable distance just to find a stead turned down, College realised around 270 objections from local ent after work on the Sports Centre suitable facility is hardly going to do that the local residents had had residents - who cited unacceptable had begun) it has been obvious that wonders for participation levels. enough of IC's trademark concrete disruption during construction and a larger, improved facility would be OK, that's why it needs to be block building motif, and would thus increased traffic when the Centre re necessary to fully accommodate the built - the next question is where... only give permission to something opened - it was flatly rejected... needs of the College community. Since the mid eighties, a con "in character". Consequently, the And three years and a few other For starters, running a series of stant stream of proposals, designs designers took a large lateral step (less fully developed) plans down smaller indoor facilities - the swim and planning applications have and proposed sinking the entire the line, here we are, awaiting the ming pool, Southside Gym, the floated around the College and the centre - complete with a massive outcome of the latest round of plan Weights room, the Union Gym etc local community, with a variety of nine court hall - under Princes Gar ning discussions. is far less efficient than centralising sites, styles, costs and facilities on dens, possibly linking together the So what's the downside? Well, into one new venue (a situation offer at one time or another - until existing swimming pool with the ten building a new Hall could mean the analogous to the sports ground finally it seems that we have some nis courts (and beyond). Indeed it loss of Southside Gym (the issue). Consequently, major cost thing on the table which has the was believed that the "Secret Gar timescale would fit in nicely with the savings and service improvements potential to move into practice. den" (Princes Gate Gardens, behind Southside redevelopment and could be made by building a new Indeed, one of the College's most Weeks Hall) was initially bought to financing could, conceptually, be unitary sports centre. powerful arguments is that they have further this project. Although such a funded by the sale of one of IC's Secondly, there simply isn't - quite generally - tried to fit the scheme might now seem very far three sports grounds - although the enough space at present. Although Centre into every other open (or not etched,it's worth remembering that senior staff involved all deny a direct most clubs and societies can just so open) space on campus. This is, it was drawn up during the infancy link. Anyway, that's a discussion for about squeeze into the existing slots, quite literally, the last option avail of lottery funding, when huge piles another day... MITCHELL MADISON GROUP Strategic Management Consulting Are you: - interested in strategy consulting? ft- . * v 1-.,.. J? '/ - interested in e-commerce? - interested in both?
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Media Group Welcome 7pm, Monday October 11th, dBs
Multimedia presentations from IC Radio, stoic, Felix, Phoenix (Imperial's arts magazine), the Alternative Prospectus and ICU Web. Chairs and editors will also be on hand to offer help and advice. Plus... FREE BEER Felix Felix « 1 October 1999 FELIX ANATOMY
WHAT IS FELIX Then why not write about it. Got a Where Are We? burning issue you want to get off Yes, of course Felix is the newspa your chest and turn into a College per for students at Imperial, but Once again Felix has moved house, this time into a pair of salubrious wide debate? Then I know a good more importantly it's the newspa portacabins situated in the campus' Latin Quarter (otherwise known as place to start. Seriously, if there's per written by the students of just off the road between Sherfield and Prince Consort Road, nestled something you want to write Imperial too. It can only function between Physics and the liquid Nitrogen tank). We'll be living here for about then just drop by and have with a broad base of writers, the next twelve months, until the shiny new Union Media Centre is fin a chat - 'no' isn't in the student designers, photographers, ished in the basements of Beit. Until then, you can expect to find the edi editor's vocabulary. reviewers, sub-editors and tor (that'll be me) and a ever-changing collection of assorted sub-edi reporters drawn from across the tors, writers, general hangers-on and squaters gathered around the College who pool their collective playstation and/or computers (depending on the day of the week) at all SCIENCE talents and knowledge to produce hours of the day and night. Drop by if you're interested in writing and a publication to be proud of. I'll offer you a coffee, a seat on the sofa and some very suspect advice Despite the fact that this is one of about what you might like to do. te world's leading Science, Tech nology and Medicine Institutions, NEWS recruiting a team of science writ ers always seems to be surprising Think about it, if something's not ly problematic. Nonetheless, reported'in Felix, where else are Independence expect to see regular updates on students going to find out what's every major movements, particu going on on campus? Conse Unlike some student newspapers, Felix benefits from guaranteed inde larly those centred around Imper quently, it requires the full atten pendence from both College and the Union (despite the fact that a large ial, interspersed with the odd tion of a crack team of reporters part of our income comes straight from ICU). Consequently, this allows panicked re-write of last week's and photographers to keep you reporters and columnists to give honest, unbiased views and explana New Scientist cover story. Con up to date with what's going on in tions of all the big issues - we promote the Union wherever possible, but tributors are very much in the Union, in the higher echelons the interests of the students always have to come first. Similarly, the edi demand. of College, and in the local area. tor isn't directly responsible to the Union President (or indeed any of the Willing volunteers to go under sabbaticals) so Felix has the ability to stand alone as an independent cover and infiltrate the inner entity. COLUMNS workings of Sherfield are desper ately sought. Due to a sudden (and very unex pected) spurt of graduation and PhD completion on the part of SPORT The Editor last year's columnists now's the time for the more committed
This year's sports section should Luckily for me (and hopefully for the quality of the finished product), Felix and/or opinionated of you to be bigger and better than ever. is run by a full time sabbatical editor. From now until the end of next July offer your services. Want to spout We're looking for a dedicated I'm being paid by the Union - in other words you - just to run Felix. So, off every week about life, liberty, team of sports reporters and if you don't think that I'm making a particularly good job of it, or if you love etc etc? Or have your own photgraphers to enjoy the expens disagree with something that I've printed please get in touch - I need space to uncover God knows es paid high-life of Harlington, feedback to do this job properly. I can be reached at what hidden secrets of the rich Cobham and Teddington, cover [email protected], on (020 7 59) 48072 or alternatively I'm usually and famous? Then simply email ing as many of IC's major (and in the portacabins from 9 - 6 Monday to Friday. If you're unhappy with [email protected] minor) fixtures over the coming my reply then the next stage is to complain to the Media Group Chair, season as is humanly possible. Chris Jackson ([email protected]) who should be able to find a solution. Interested? Come to the office ._ j and ask for Gus. CLUBS & SOCIETIES
must be something for you. Write FEATURES Any club or society can submit an REVIEWS a review, get some free stuff - it's article detailing recent activity, a simple equation. In particular, An esoteric concept at best, fea planned trips or speaker events. Encompassing every style of games reviewers are currently in tures encompasses just about Just remember to give at least music, film, theatre, books, video, particularly short supply, so drop anything you care to name. Been seven days notice if you really games (on all formats), art, muse by or email [email protected] if on an amazing holiday that you want your piece to go in a spe ums, gigs and clubbing, there you're interested. want to tell the world about? cific issue. 1 October 1999 Felix Feature Why don't you get a job?
John Simpson, Director of IC's Careers Service, explains why it pays to think ahead when it comes to finding a career.
elcome to Imperial Col been filled already and you'll be want to do, that's no excuse for The Milkround is in the spring lege. The next three or lucky if the local council wants delaying finding out about the term of your final year. This is Wfour years should be some grass cutting or the local possibilities. You are surrounded when employers visit campuses to amongst the most interesting and garden centre needs a dirty pair of with sources of information - interview applicants or invite you enjoyable in your life, provided hands. It's well worthwhile doing friends, family, tutors, careers to their London Offices. Christmas you make the most of the oppor some preliminary job hunting advisors, libraries and the internet. vacation courses are a popular tunities available at College. What between Christmas and Easter. Start looking. It may be a long way of finding out about careers follows should give you some Call in at the IC Careers Service process, but so is life, so it really is such as marketing but only a few ideas for your own self-develop (room 310 Sherfield) where you worth spending more time think major recruiters run them and they ment. will find information about Vaca ing about your career than plan are normally many times over sub tion Training, write to employers You can probably recall one of ning your next holiday or weekend scribed. with your CV, call into some shops the significant steps in your life away. Stop! I'm only a fresher - why and hotels and see who's advertis when you entered the sixth form or The IC Careers Service is a are you telling me this? I'm telling ing in the local press. went to Sixth Form College. Com good starting place. Pop in and you because you need to start ing to College is an even more Vacation jobs can be most speak to the information staff. planning your life now, don't just significant step. You have more informative. Ideally they give you Find out about 'Prospect (HE)', drift through College and emerge freedom, more independence and the chance to try out some type of our computer driven careers guid with a degree and nothing else. more opportunities to do your own wok or future employer in which ance system - and all the informa Of course a degree is important thing and to succeed or fail. If you you are interested. They give you tion booklets and reference files. and should be your first priority, do not make some mistakes you experience in job hunting, letter Have a look at some of the but it mustn't be your only priority. will not have learnt anything, writing and interviews, as well as a videos, attend some seminars on In the meantime, enjoy your learning from one's own mistakes real insight into what it's like to careers, get yourself sorted out. self. is an important part of experience, work for a particular type of but don't waste time reinventing employer. Some even pay you everything - build on the experi quite well. Jobs abroad are popu ence of others - take advice (it's lar and early applications are usually free) - ignore some of it, essential. Start by visiting the IC test it out, accept or reject it. Careers Service, which has a good range of reference books You have already demonstrat and addresses. ed some planning ability by pass ing A levels - or their equivalent - At the start of the second year sufficiently well to be at College. you raise your sights higher. Now 3i9 How are you going to plan the is the time to test your skills in next three, four or six years? And organising something - a social Bike Ride I'm not just talking about your evening for your department, academic studies, I'm talking looking after the finances of a 21 February - 2 March 2000 about the start of the rest of your society or the fixtures of your life. team. That sounds far too much
What do you want to achieve like hard work I hear you say. Yes, A journey through this term? Making friends is usual it does take some effort on your ly high on most people's list. part but, generally speaking, the Thailand How? Join clubs and societies, more effort you put into something attend meetings, take up a new the more enjoyment you will get in aid of NCH Action For Children sport, develop a new interest - out of it. any of these are likely to bring you Committee work is an excel Cycle 400km in 5 days into contact with like-minded stu lent preparation for life after Col dents. And there's always the bar lege. You learn to set agendas, and have the time of your life! to prop up while speaking inspira run meetings, agree actions, per tion. suade other students to do things, Contact Kevin Terry on: By the end of the summer term work within budgets and end up 0171-704 7019 in your first year you are feeling with a successful event - a party, for more details the financial pressures - in other a visit, a play or a newspaper - words, you're broke! So how just think owe much effort went about earning some good money into producing this edition of Felix. in the long vacation. If you leave You should start thinking seri Thailan^QQQ job hunting until the vacation ously about your future career starts you may be too late. All the before the end of the second year. A* nch interesting and lucrative jobs have En if you haven't a clue what you action for children NCH Action For Children is a Registered Charity (No. 215301) 8 Sabbatical Manifestos Felix 1 October 1999 Sabbatical Manifestos
At the request of the new Union President, Felix reprints this year's sabbatical manifestoes as a reminder of what your representatives have promised to do in return for their £14 000 a year. How- ever, political manifestoes are rarely written in plain English, so to make them easier to understand we've passed the text through Felix's state of the art Acme Read-Between-The-Lines-O-Meter™.
ICU President Natasha Newton
300 words to say "more of the good, less of the we have to do what College tell us. Keep it simple! Like.... bad", still, if people are willing to read this, here's Simple example, Union people should contin what I think our Union's priorities should be. ue helping correct budgets. After all which students The hardware: As accommodation officer, I am, [translation] I know thai getting elected has are helped if a club doesn't get its money. at the moment, arranging modems and PCs for Wil nothing to do with manifesto promises... [translation] But losing £36,000 on two sum son House and seeing college about internal IC mer ball is definitely in your interests... lines. The same could happen in other outlying halls. 1. Students [translation] But none of my friends live in Eve Every report the Union makes within itself and 3. Students lyn Gardens, so they can walk into College. to the rest of the student body should start with what The facilities and activities of the Union are The info: Every week a list of the meetings tak is being done for us students, how we will benefit. available to all of us and that needs to be commu ing place and some contact details needs posting [translation] I'll show you all how great I am. nicated. on all Union notice boards, in Felix and Stoic text. [translation] Please don't take away my sports Then if there's something that may affect you, you 2. Students ground... have a chance to talk to the people involved and The objectives for all meetings should be, Nah, s**t, I appear to have mentioned com find out the outcome. 1. students munication, here we go, the standard unreal prom [translation] You won't want to get involved so 2. students ises yet, year after year it barely gets better. But for I'll tell you what to do. 3. students what it's worth, here are my practical ideas in addi So thanks for reading and (this is the cheesy 4. money, college's opinion.... (give or take tion to the obvious email, Felix and the Union struc bit...sorry) remember, a vote forTasha Newton is a legality and other minor matters). ture. vote for students coming first. Contact 0958 707 [translation] Pot the students first. And second. [translafionj ERROR READING DATA ERROR 415 And third. But we need to make some money. And ENGLISH NOT RECOGNISED INPUT ERROR [translation! Help...too...many...jokes.
Deputy President (Clubs & Societies) - Tim Trailor
Next year will be one of the most challenging What with the ICSMRFC having shown not have the ability to represent you and your years faced by the DP (C&S). themselves to be a force to be reckoned with Union appropriately to organisations such as [translation] As I will have to clear up the it is now as imperative as ever that the unique BUSA and ULU. mess last years DP(C&S) left, ad the one identity of ICSM and ICU teams is preserved. [translation] Hockey, hockey, ra ra ra. Who before, and the one before that etc. etc. [translation] Especially as the ICU Rugby cares about those other clubs anyway? All clubs and societies are facing an team kicked medical ass in the University of I believe that I have got the necessary upheaval of one kind or another. London Gutteridge Cup competition. grounding within the sporting fraternity to rep [translation] Be it moving into portacabins As a member of the ICU Hockey Club resent them well along with the desire to listen or being forced to shut down as a result of not Exec and as a re-app (in a hall containing to and support the other clubs and societies. It following Health & Safety regulations. many medics) is these qualities along with a passionate Many of the societies based in South Kens [translation] Some of my friends are desire to do this job, and do it well, that would ington will be acquiring new facilities courtesy medics, honest... make me an excellent candidate for the job - of the Unions expansion into what was until I have been well placed over this past year so vote for me for DP (C&S)! recently the Biology department, to observe what you want from your clubs and [translation] I believe I have acquired the [translation] And the acquisition of a cou societies. I believe that it is essential that next necessary skills during my hockey career to ple of sports fields courtesy of the years DP (C&S) is someone with a great deal communicate with the other sports sabbaticals College...best not to mention them though. of knowledge concerning the merger and the in London during our drunken meetings, and But probably the biggest cloud still hang position that most sporting clubs at Imperial to pull whatever random teenagers I ULU ing over the head of next years DP (C&S) will will face over the next 18 months. Anybody sports sabbaticals make themselves available be the ICSM merger issue. taking over as DP (C&S) who doesn't have a to me... Anyone seen any seventeen year old [translation] Bloody medics. firm background within a sporting club would girls? 1 October 1999 Felix Sabbatical Manifestos 9
Deputy President (Finance & Services) - Ian Clifford
[translation] And we all know how friendly the You may ask why you should vote for Ian Clifford. [translation] The job title's got the word servic Union staff are [translation] You've never heard of me and / es in, so I'd better mention them somewhere. Next year I aim to: have no real policies... Secondly, I have been a student at Imperial for Increase communications & training with Firstly, I have experience of the Union finance five years and a member of several clubs including treasurers system. As treasurer of the City & Guilds College the Mountaineering Club, Pimlico Connection and [translation] You might be able to read the Union I work with clubs & societies, assisting them the Catholic Society finance manual without falling asleep. with budgets, claims and unravelling red tape. I [translation] If you have any spare ropes, text Open up the union to more students have faced the dreaded Union budgeting rounds books or crucifixes, please donate them to Ian Clif [translation] Don't know where we're going to and won. ford c/o the Union Office. We have no money after put them though - we can't afford any more space. [translation] The crowning glory of my two buying the hats and purchasing sabbatical T-shirts. Reform funding, payments and standardise terms as C&G treasurer was the successful pur I work in the Union Resource Centre, helping subsidies chase of silly hats for our bar nights. both students and union staff - I will be as [translation] Coincidently giving more money I have prepared the finances of the C&GU as approachable as a sabbatical like I am as a mem to C&G, Mountaineering, Pimlico Connection, a whole. I know how the Union runs from a club ber of staff. Personal contact and interest is impor Catholic Society... finance side as well as the services side. tant in establishing a good working relationship.
Deputy President (Education & Welfare) - Kevin Butcher
in Felix and the CCU papers. Finally ICU has created a sabbatical responsible This will be in consultation with all the relevant [translation] I am the only sabbatical actual for education and welfare. I feel confident in tak Union and College committees (Accommoda ly intending to get something done this year... ing on an undefined role and creating a job tion, welfare, Academic Affairs, Student Devel opment etc.) the current sabbs and various col Awareness events (about two per term) will description - encompassing all aspects of edu lege officers (including the Pro-Rector for Educa coincide with students experiences (eg accom cation and welfare. tional Quality). modation week when students are thinking [translation] It was very kind of the Union to about housing, a sexual health week to coincide provide me with a "job description" and then for [translation] Come on, you have to vote for with World AIDS Day, a stress buster to coincide the president to take it away... me - I know the names of all the College staff and everything. (as close as possible) with exams and a mental Since coming to Imperial as a postgraduate health week. I hope to convince CCU officers student I've been involved in the union: chair of Secondly I intend to ask as many of the E&W and the dep reps to ensure that student repre Imperial Queers and SCC treasurer this year. sabbs across the country about their role, their sentation is fair and adequate across all depart Before Imperial I was involved with clubs of concerns and hopes. The first two would be ments. completed before the new academic year. Oxford and Aberystwyth and was a volunteer for ftrans/afion] Hopefully the CCU officers and Oxford Nightline. This experience has given me [translation] I'll go on lots of expenses pad dep reps won't be quite as useless as usual... the necessary motivation, listening skills, people "fact finding" missions. skills, approachability and fair judgement Thirdly, starting the new term with this base, required for DP (E&W). I will consult as many students as possible. DP (E&W) will work best if as many people as possi [translation] Trust me, I'm fluffy enough for ble are made aware of the education and wel this job. fare brief and it the job is tailored to the needs of I have three main aims. Firstly ! intend to the students. I would undertake a regular section work on the welfare committee's job description.
Felix Editor - Dave Roberts
ries, rather than having to dedicate their lives to Felix is the primary source of information for tunity to tell everyone what they do. Conse the newspaper. students at Imperial, so it's vital that it presents quently, I'll provide space for every club to write [translation] I love Felix. I'm in the office all enough material for students to reach their own reviews of events or preview upcoming activity. day, every day and every night. Come in and opinions on key issues - whilst the reporting Similarly, sports coverage needs to be itself remains unbiased. improved, with a dedicated team of reporters say hello and write something. Please. I'm des perate [translation] Felix is the primary source of and photographers to cover matches at Har I'll also have weekly meetings at St Mary's scandal and manipulative articles at Imperial lington, Cobham and Teddington. and Charing Cross, to ensure as wide a range College. I will use subliminal messaging to get [translation] Look, see - / know the names my views across. Your opinion means nothing. of the sports grounds. of contributors as possible. [translationj Because / need the medics to To this end, I'll introduce regular in-depth Finally, both ICU and the Constituent Col vote for me...RAH RAH TEDDINGTON features on the major student issues - like ULU, lege Unions should be given space to report on I believe that these changes are necessary to fees and College expansion - so that everyone their activities and justify themselves - thus mak has a chance to understand what's really going ing our representatives more accountable. ensure that Felix maintains its role as the news on. Proper dissemination of information also [translation] ICU and CCU's justifying them paper for the students and of the students, and means proper distribution, so I'll ensure that selves? I'll eat my copy first. Please, keep your having been involved for the best part of three Felix hits every campus on the same day, and bullshit down to a minimum of 100 words. years - as a writer, reviewer, Advertising Man appears on the web every week. Felix is a club, and like any other at Imper ager, Film Editor, and now Assistant Editor - I have the ability to put these changes into prac [translation] Because at Imperial we really ial it must be open to all. As well as increased care about ULU, fees, and College expansion. publicity (especially during Freshers Week) tice. Bollocks more like. there needs to be more freedom for people to [translations] I write in very, very long sen Clubs and societies should have the oppor write occasional articles, features or short sto tences. [fl Union Felix » 1 October 1999 ICSM Union Each week we hand over a page to one of IC's four faculty unions, and this week it's the turn of the Sabbatical Med School Union President, Becky England, to explain who she is and what she does. We are now welcoming our sec what looks to be a week of shear ond intake of students into the rel fun and games, (not taking into atively new site at IC. The new account the morning after experi freshers should benefit from the ences awaiting any poor unfortu input from last years first years nates). Details are given in the enabling us to make life easier for freshers' handbook and on them. Last year was a particularly posters around the campuses. On hard year for all of our students October 16th we are holding the within ICSM. Old were welcoming ICSM Freshers' Ball at Chelsea in the new whilst themselves Football Club, with a particular becoming used to a new environ favourite of mine as the ment and medical school struc theme "Austin Powers" (watch ture; and the freshers were not out for girls with weapons where only dealing with the usual 'fresh you might not expect, boys, you'd ers nightmares' but also coping better hold onto your mojol). Tick with being the first intake of a new ets will be on sail at the major course within a new building. campuses when term begins. This year we have a relatively Throughout the year we hope fresh students union, although to hold all the traditional social some faces have not changed.... events the Med School expects Jo Manson has taken the role of and also to add some more. Any Vice President Internal Mary's, ideas please send them in our with Lizzie Robinson now Vice direction! We intend to host the President External and Wade second ICSM Summer Ball in the Gayed has become Education rep first week of July, a firm date will for Charing Cross. I myself have be set in the near future; anyone not been a direct member of the interested in standing for Summer the clubs either come along to the therefore any input will be readily students' union although I was Ball chair should watch out for Freshers' Fair on Tuesday 5th received. heavily involved in ICSM RAG election info, going up in the first October at the Alexander Fleming As president (finally, after Week 1999. The rest have all few weeks of term. Building in the afternoon, or con scraping through the nightmare of been involved with the organisa Clubs and Societies will, as tact myself or the Clubs & Socs 2nd MB), I will be based primarily tion of various events and clubs always be an integral part of Med rep, Alison Ogilvie. on the South Kensington Campus, throughout the Med School and School life, with a club for 99% of Throughout the coming year in the Alexander Fleming Building I'm sure are going to do a fantas peoples tastes. The Opera Society many issues close to the hearts of (formerly the BMS). However, my tic job over the next year. will be staging 'Crazy For you' in the medics will arise The future of plan, (subject to change!) is to To begin we have our FRESH December, the Dramsoc I'm sure our clinical sites; the future of our spend Tuesday mornings at St ERS' WEEK, running from the 3rd will be active at various points sports grounds; the prospect of Mary's, Wednesday mornings at to the 9th of October. Our Social throughout the year and the multi merger of the sports teams and Charing Cross and every second Secretaries, Anna and Chewy, with tude of music socs will be sure to the development of the new Thursday lunch time at The the help of Susie (Treasurer), make their presence felt. Sports course and the repercussions on Chelsea and Westminster. Marissa (Secretary), Alison (Clubs continue to flourish at ICSM with both the old and new students . Please feel free to call with any and Socs), Alia (VPI Charing our 1st Rugby team destined for The students' union aims to repre queries, problems or general Cross) and Jo; have put together Europe. For information on any of sent the students' views, and grumbles.
Contacts
President - Becky England Vice Presidents Officers
Mobile : 07713 741 003 VP (Internal) St Mary's - Jo Manson Clubs & Societies - Alison Ogilvie Office : 0171 594 8079 VP (Internal) Charing Cross - Alia Fammy Treasurer - Susie Bloch Email: [email protected] VP (External) - Lizzie Robinson Secretary - Marissa See 1 October 1999 Felix Union 11 The State of the Union
ello, to all the new stu By Natasha Newton, Imperial College Union President what we promised and if you don't dents, welcome back to all like it the next sabb elections H the old. Well, what a sum Down to business. Let's start of London colleges with their own are in February! Finally, as prom mer! To the Freshers, let me intro somewhere familiar, there have Health Centres to see how they ised at hustings, I have a jar of free duce the column. This is a weekly been some big changes in the compare to ours. We are now dis lollies on my desk and here is the update of what the Union is up to, shop this summer, sadly, we have cussing these results with the list of the up and coming meetings what we as your representatives lost some old friends, but we have Health Centre, who have taken a for the week: are doing for you and quite often, gained two new permanent mem real interest. why. bers, Andrew the floor manager In a big. paper pushing exer - This Week's Union Meetings - So, we've been busy, da Vinci's and Daniel the System and stock cise, we have extended and updat has had a big facelift and I hope clerk. Welcome gentlemen, we ed our reciprocal agreements so Weds 6th October : MADSAC you agree now looks tasty. It has hope you survive Fresher's week! your Union card will gain you Union President meets college and been a constant battle as the dem The Health Centre. Progress access to even more Universities the Health Centre for discussions olition work going on in the rest of indeed, the Union and the centre than ever before. We have also re the service they provide etc. Beit has over spilled into this end now have regular meetings to dis done special deals for the students Thurs 7th October : ICU Exec of the building. Honestly, it was like cuss problems our students, their at Silwood that they will be able to The sabbs, CCU presidents and 4 a French farce at one point, cut patients, encounter. If you have a go over to Royal Holloway to party. members of council (to be elected water pipes setting of fire alarms, problem with them, you should talk As you will see, our sabbatical 1 2th October) meet to discuss the but then they cut through the direct to their Practice Manager in manifestos have been included in week-to-week management of the electrics for the fire alarm!! You the first instance, but you can still this issue if Felix, so, for the 3000 Union. should have seen the size of the come to us. During the summer odd of you who didn't have a Fri 8th October : RCC Chairs hole in the men's toilets ceiling! iCU surveyed the other University chance to vote for us, you can see and treasurers meeting. Welfare Update
hat's this all about, then? By Kevin Butcher, Deputy President (Education & Welfare) Essential Contacts Well, with the creation of a new Education and ask a firend to look after you. of welfare facilities at Silwood were - Kevin Butcher - WelfarWe Sabbatical - that's me - Don't assume you can't have reviewed. Support links between internal extension 58064 comes a greater promotion of the meningitis purely because you've Silwood and ICU are being [email protected] non-commercial services offered been vaccinated - this is NOT the strengthened and College has by ICU and the representation case. agreed provision for extra Coun - Martin Thomson, Union Adviser - undertaken on your behalf. A full If you have not been vaccinat sellor time, allowing for a regular (020) 7594 8067 breakdown of the services avail ed and are worried then IC Health visit to Silwood by one of the Col [email protected] able to you and the representation Centre will be able to advise and lege Counsellors. This is a good undertaken on your behalf can be arrange for vaccination. start to improved provision at Sil - Nightline - found in the Student Handbook wood. (020) 7631 0101 (available from the Union Recep Student Support Scheme tion). Important issues relating to First and second years are now Registry - IC Counsellors - you, within the Education & Wel funded via the Student Support The Academic Registrar, Ver (020) 7594 9430 fare remit, will be aired here. So Scheme, which includes means- non McClure, will be available in here goes tested help towards tuition fees. his office (339 Sherfield) on Mon - IC Tutors - Under the new rules students have days during term-time from (020) 7594 6430 / 6238 Meningitis a deadline by which they must 1.30pm to 2.00pm. No prior All first year students have apply for support, otherwise they appointment is necessary. This is to - IC Health Centre - been encouraged to get vaccinat will not be eligible for any financial discuss matters other than those (020) 7584 6301 ed for meningitis before arriving at support in future years of study. The you would raise with your Depart College. However, two points need deadline is the end of the first term ment or routine enquiries that the - Samaritans - to be made: of their first year. Registry can help with. 0345 909090 Firstly, overseas students living Even if you think you are not in Halls are especially encouraged eligible for any help with your And finally... - AIDS Helpline - to visit IC Health Centre for a vac tuition fee you still need to apply. If Please feel free to contact Mar 0800 567123 cination. you do not wish to take out any of tin (the Union Advisor) or me with Secondly, the vaccination only the loan: apply, be assessed for any questions or queries - you'll - Alcohol Helpline - protects against type C meningitis - support and then ask for £0. The find my phone number and email 0800 917 8282 which only represents 30% of Student Loans Company will then address below. In particular, if you meningitis cases reported in the have your details and in future have questions or answers to prob - Alone in London - UK. Therefore if you have been years you will be able to apply. lems you feel other students could (020) 7278 4224 vaccinated but still have flu-like benefit from, please get in touch symptoms - please visit a doctor or Welfare at Silwood Park and the problem and solution may - Quitline - call an ambulance to be safe and Over the summer the provision well appear here in future editions. 0800 002200 12 Feedback Felix 1 October 1999
MIND YOUR VAT water in". This leaves Kevin won to hold all the students. dering what architectural novelties Towards the end of last term Basics, may have been designed into the NEW SABBATICALS... the Southside pizza place started to South Kensington building. charge VAT to students purchasing Kevin judges any Union Officer by FELIX food from there. Basics staff were VIDEOCONFERENCE their behaviour, and suspects he instructed by their managers not to will not be the only one unim prompt students for proof of stu MADNESS pressed at sabbaticals abusing dent identity, and to charge VAT if their new-found power to let their ID was not volunteered. Basics The Great Hall is to be used for the cronies into sold-out events for Editorial Staff staff reported to Kevin that this RCS freshers' welcome, with the free. It is likely that the first time change in procedure resulted in 'show' relayed to those who can many impressionable first years see
Edilor. : : ! <' berts many students paying too much for their sabbaticals will be when they Deputy Editor.....Marie Nicoiaou their Pizza. Kevin warns students are ushering their mates past them Asst Ed (Reviews) Vacant that they will be overcharged in this into packed fresher's week carni Asst Ed (Layout) Vacant way by many outlets run by both the vals or comedy nights. Union and College unless they Mish In Kevin's opinion Miss Newton News Arid re w O fo ri; actively wave their Union card at is confident that she is suitably Photograpy. Jonas Lidsay the person serving them. trendy, yet student-y enough to lead Sports „Ou' Pafi a Student's Union. Kevin expects Mash her to be unconcerned with her Science Vacant Music pls| James & Joel; NOVELTY GREEN image, believing that she has got Film Helen Clark A Mostly Harmless Column by the whole student thing sorted. Arts Ben Fisher HOUSE Kevin, a random entity who Most of her time will be spent con Books Vacant knows nothing about nothing centrating on the efficient running Dinrv Vacant Sir Norman Foster, architect of the of her organisation. If she suc BMS building had some problems not fit in by videoconferencing ceeds in proving herself capable of with another of his projects, the technology to the Pippard lecture doing this, it will be useful to her German government building the theatre in Sherfield. Can someone later in life as today's medics are Reichstag, completed shortly after find the prat who is obsessed with expected to be excellent managers ulc.her, our own greenhouse. Government all this videoconfering and as well as doctors. ccy Fng- officials were astonished when videoteaching, and remote learn shortly after moving in they noticed ing nonsense so we can shoot him. The PopTarts are in the toaster,
Thacker that the roof was leaking. A The Royal Geographical Society, and lairing to go. spokesmen for Foster responded to which was used last year is a much the complaint with the statement: more impressive venue, more To comment or contribute: "It was always the intention to allow importantly it also has the capacity http://come.to/mishmash Feedback
THE TEMPLATE - client's wishes that you no longer - accept the enclosed injunction as refer to her as a "brainless slapper proof of my clients seriousness in In the absence of any actual letters with the IQ of a games teacher" this matter to publish this week, here's a handy within the pages of your publication - send my employers a cheque for - concern at the current level of £1500 by return of post, otherwise nee guide to how to produce your own: Consort your overdraft we will be forced to send debt col Dear David / Felix / Editor / Sir / lectors to your home address forth Mr Roberts (circle one) Would you therefore please: (circle) with. vw.su.ic.ac.uk/ - cash the enclosed cheque at once I am writing to express my: (circle) and buy yourself a slap up dinner. Yours ever, (circle) - amazement at the quality of your And get your hair cut. - Your Mum newspaper - sack your editorial staff at once - Disgruntled, Linstead - annoyance over the absence of and allow me and my friends to - Brian Greenhouse, chair of RCS any real news and excessive level of dictate the contents of your next Marbles Society. coverage given over to reviews issue - Gerald Hathaway of Hathaway, (music in particular) and sport - offer us a free advert, along with Greene, Ross and Hathaway, Solic - concern that my club's recent full uninterrupted reports of our itors at Law. Lond i LCI N 71 spectacular performances have not next fixture across your front and - The Manager, Midland Bank, been reported in your magazine back pages South Kensington branch
Fell 1040 - 0711 The deadline for letters intended for publication is Wednesday 12 noon - drop into the porta cabins or email [email protected]. Letters may be edited for length but not grammar or spelling. 1 October 1999 Felix Feedback ed to igL
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