Southampton 12Th

News Student HMO’s Sport Scene2 targeted as The Edge looks at ways How can you Southampton Your guide to you can be a make the most comes under the local music bit different and out of sport in the scene just got explore new things Southampton? eye better in Southampton 16th October 2008 Since 1936 th Freshers Week in 17 pictures 12th According to a recent NUS Survey first year students are unaware of ba- th sic living costs and have a lack of guid- 15 th th ance when it comes to financial man- 17 16 agement. The survey conducted by the NUS reports that the average cost of student life is nearly £450 higher a year than expected. Many prospective students were “unrealistic or overopti- mistic” of the financial help they are entitled to, with basic living costs such as for groceries underestimated by almost £200 a year. YouGov also report- ed that 75% of students they surveyed were unaware that they were entitled to maintenance grants if their house- hold income was less than £60,000. NUS president Wes Streeting has said, “It is extremely worrying that so many students expect to receive financial support, yet do not go on to claim it. At the moment, each university is left to administer its own bur- sary system, and students tell us that the application process is often very Southampton 12th confusing.” Philip Reynolds Lucy Payne, HSBC’s Youth and Stu- dent Manager added, “It’s clear stu- The University of Southampton has at this excellent endorsement of the 2002 Cube nightclub opens dents have no idea of the cost of liv- been ranked 12th among the coun- quality of the education and the stu- 2005 Solent University is born ing when going to university. And let’s try’s 126 universities, according to dent experience provided here at the Philip Reynolds ECS burns down in face it, how many of us knew the price the 2008 edition of the Sunday Times University of Southampton.” 2005 of a loaf of bread, a dozen eggs and University Guide. The Sunday Times University Guide, 2006 New College closes a packet of Penguins when we left The guide, which scores univer- published yearly is regarded as the flames school?” sities out of a possible thousand, one of the most comprehensive in- 2007 With the credit crunch, it is likely awarded Southampton 786 points, dicators of the respective quality of New VC Announced, Don 2008 Dolphin jumps ship students’ financial situation will wors- an improvement of almost a hun- universities nationwide, thanks to the en without proper financial planning, dred points on last year’s score of nine key variables used to determine Nutbeam and many students may have to rely 696. Last year Southampton came a university’s final score. found work after graduating. on their parents or commercial loans joint 16th with the University of Not- These variables include the findings According to the league ta- for finance. tingham but has this year surged of the National Student Survey and in- ble, 75% of graduating students ahead, as well as scoring fractionally formation provided by the Higher Edu- achieved a degree classification of behind The University of Loughbor- cation Statistics Agency on drop out a first, or upper second class hon- ough, the Sunday Times’ University rates, percentage of first and upper ours, and 76.3% of Southampton’s of the Year. second class honours awarded, head 2008 leavers expressed satisfaction Vice-Chancellor of the Univer- teacher assessments, research quality, with the University. sity of Southampton, Professor Bill teaching excellence, student-staff ra- Wakeham, said: “We’re delighted tios and the number of students who ...Continued on page 4 www.wessexscene.co.uk Page 2 News We take on Paxman ...and Brighton Four young students represent Southampton to take on the might of the infamous Jeremy Paxman Sophie Evans It was only the second time the Uni- versity of Southampton has taken part On September 15th avid and acciden- in the prestigious show, last qualifying tal viewers of University Challenge in 2003. saw four students from University of First timers Brighton, the only ‘new Southampton take on former poly- University’ in the series, won “fair and technic the University of Brighton. square” though according to Chainey. The team, consisting of Captain “There wasn’t really much we could Peter Chainey, Richard Lee, Hannah have done as you can’t really train for Coates and Tom Ellison, were unfortu- University Challenge.” He graciously nately knocked out, losing to Brighton added that Brighton “deserved their 130-195. All aged between 19 and place on the show”. Ellison wished to 22 our students were young by Chal- add that although getting a few more of lenge standards, with all four study- the bonus questions could have made ing for degrees in the humanities and all the difference, in the end they were sciences. just relieved to make it through with According to Captain Peter Chainey a bit of dignity. “We were relieved we the team had no specific roles or pre- didn’t set a new lowest ever score and defined expertise, and their tactic was I think we held our own.” simply, “if we knew the answer, we Hannah Coates, one of the young- buzzed in”. est members of the team at 19 said Presenting Professor Donald Nutbeam... University Council have announced the identity of the new Vice-Chancellor and successor to Professor Bill Wakeham Emmeline Curtis Don Nutbeam is an alumnus of the University of Southampton; he com- Professor Don Nutbeam, a renowned pleted his Postgraduate Education expert in public health, has been an- here in the 1980s, and describes this nounced as the new Vice-Chancellor time as “stimulating”. His career has for the University of Southampton. spanned positions in universities, gov- His appointment was announced by ernment and health services, and his the University Council at their meet- research career has included public ing on the 25th September, and he will health intervention research in schools take over the role when the current and communities. He holds dual British Vice-Chancellor Bill Wakeham retires. and Australian nationality, and is cur- Dame Valerie Strachen, Chair of the rently Academic Provost at the Univer- University Council, commented that sity of Sydney. “Don has an outstanding background Speaking about his recent appoint- in both health and education and an ment, Don Nutbeam said “I feel very impressive track record in leadership privileged to be returning as Vice- and management. Under his guidance, Chancellor to the University where I Southampton will further enhance the completed my postgraduate education. international reputation it has built Southampton is a world-class Univer- up under Bill Wakeham as one of this sity and I admire and respect the suc- country’s, and the world’s, leading re- cesses that the University has enjoyed search universities.” under the leadership of Bill Wakeham. News www.wessexscene.co.uk We take on Paxman ...and Brighton New Job Cuts Four young students represent Southampton to take on the might of the infamous Jeremy Paxman Nervous MSA staff await news of job losses she was “obviously disappointed” at elite group of participants, including Lucy Hawes InEx the ‘Inexcusable Review’. Con- their loss but enjoyed her day. “It was many famous names such as Stephen cerns have been raised about the rapid strange to go from watching it on TV Fry, Clive James and Sebastian Faulks. Recent reports suggest that the pace with which the review has moved. to then actually be taking part! It was All of the team agreed taking part in University of Southampton may cut While staff has been kept informed by a really interesting glimpse behind the programme was a great experience up to 400 jobs from management, frequent meetings over the last six the scenes.” and vitally, all expenses were paid by specialist, and administrative staff months, there is a perceived lack of As for the verdict on Paxman, the “TV people”, Granada. in the next month, in a bid to save negotiation over proposed changes. Chainey commented “he was hardly Another bonus enjoyed by the four money. UNISON, the trade union which rep- like a real person; he’s just the guy was that “all manner of people you It was a report in the Southern resents many of the MSA staff affected, who asks the questions and occasion- haven’t spoken to in years congratulate Daily Echo that sparked this concern, claims that ‘morale is pretty low’ among ally scoffs at your answers, which by you, even if you lose!” and although the university states employees. Staff are also surprised at and large you know are stupid, but Chainey urged students to get in- that it “does not recognise the 400 the quick succession of this latest re- you might as well say rather than volved when the opportunity arises figure, and does not yet know the structuring project after witnessing the nothing”. again, as you never know how good you number of jobs at risk”, there is un- large scale reorganization in 2004. Tom Ellison also revealed he didn’t could be, and it is a worthwhile experi- doubtedly the possibility that staff University Management are keen to find him quite as expected. “He ence. may go. stress that nothing is yet certain as was really tall and quite orange. He So, when you see auditions adver- Southampton currently employs to the numbers of jobs which will be did compliment us on our mascot tised around campus next year, don’t around 1,400 MSA staff who fulfil a lost.

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