FELIX wishes you a Merry Christmas Wednesday December 10th, No 757 Letters. FELIX, Wednesday December 10th 1986 2 more, per person, than we are committee meeting). So I then asked talent for appearing at exactly the charging Mr. Mercer and his that if the money was just going to a right moment with a bottle of Anthem For flatmates. Department as an incentive champagne. I shall never forget also It is true that the flaacross from payment, why should we need to do how Steve Marshall's farewell issue Mr. Mercer's is being let at a lower this at all. Surely it is in every cheered me at a very black moment Doomed rate. This is because it is unfurnished Department's best interest to keep in life. Two former chairmen of the and has been let to the same person its lecturing staff up-to-date as Social Clubs Committee, Dr. Frank Youth for a number of years on a protected possible. James and Robin Graham were of tenancy, which prevents the rent This is where the lesson according immense help to me. Last but not being raised by more than a little to my Dad's garage comes in: My least I am most grateful to that well Dear Dave each year. Dad used to work for a garage known FELIX contributor and ex Three years ago I was a young, We asked the landlord to improve which employed fitters, sales staff Union President, SD Goulder, the keen geophysicist with a four-year the security arrangements as soon as and receptionists. As was the perfect major-domo. As a member degree and three year's industrial we heard there was a problem. They tradition in those days, each Works of the FELIX Club I hope I will see experience behind me. As I wanted reacted quickly in installing locks trained some apprentices in something of you all in the future. to work in research, and had an and spring returns. New combination with lectures from the VIVAT ET FLOREAT FELIX! interesting project I wished to work entryphones, though, are expensive local Tech. Also, before each new J Pingree on, I came to Imperial College to do and need to be costed before range of cars came out garages who a PhD. installation. This takes time. sold the cars of this make were In the three years I have been Pending installation of the invited to send staff on a here, I have come to know a lot of entryphones, the new locks were put familiarisation course, for a small people—undergraduates and on the latch. On discovering the sum of course. This meant that the postgraduates, spread across most locks, though, some of the fitters could mend the new cars before they came out, a bonus in a departments of the College. Like occupants of the flats activated NUS Debate: competitive world such as ours. me, they were mostly young, and them and some others kicked down mostly keen to become geologists or the now-locked door. To prevent However, the recession hit and No Case For physicists or mechanical engineers. further vandalism, we temporarily garages were no freer from its effects Now I find that I have a friend suspended the locking of the doors than any other industry, the first with a first in physics who is and Mr. Mercer complained. It things to be cut were those that Reaffiliation working as an accountant; two seems we can't win! required outlay before profit, i.e. the friends with degrees in mechanical As far as keys are concerned, I can continuing education process. engineering who have no intention only apologise on behalf of the As I said, my Dad used to work in of ever working as mechanical landlords if there has been any mix- a garage. Dear Dave, engineers; a number of friends up concerning their issue. I will Applying the moral of this story What could IC possibly gain from trying to complete PhDs in geology pursue the matter with them. I to Imperial College, Departments joining the NUS? What would we for which they have totally lost understand that the situation has shouldn't be saying "what's in it for get in exchange for the valuable interest; and the list could continue. been fully remedied. me", they should be insisting that all clubs which we would have to I myself am on the verge of giving up I am confident that Mr. Mercer, lecturers be continually trained and sacrifice to join that organisation? my PhD, only six months from now in full possession of the facts of educated because in the long run If, as you say, ICU has an opinion to completion, because I am tired of the matter, is in a better position to that is what people will notice, and express (and the question here is not the constant struggle to get anything appreciate the College's rent in the long run that is what will save whether it does or not), does it need done, of the barriers that constandy structure and policies. If not, I this College from the acts of any to a member of the NUS to express government and perhaps the staff appear before me. I have no would be more than happy to meet it? Surely not. Has the NUS not here will never have to say I used to intention of working as a him and explain them to him. I hope proven itself to be the most work in a University. geophysicist again. this clears up any misunderstan- inefficient student organization in What has happened to the young, ding. I hope this dispells any thoughts Great Britain? Any organisation keen people? Yours ever, of premature senility that the author that spends 90% of its budget on its Is Imperial College really doing Don Ferguson of last week's third hand story was annual conference (leaving only the best possible job for Science and Student Services Officer toying with. 10% for possible worthwhile Technology? Dave Colley activities which may have a slightly Yours sincerely, Hon. Secretary higher chance improving our lot as Graham Oakes University students) cannot honestly claim to be doing its best for the students it supposedly When I Were represents. What are the NUS's most outstanding achievements so far? The only one I can think of is Great Dons A Lad.... The One We one that has lasted 7 years—since 1979 they have sat idly by, watching Had To Print students' grants as they are reduced Of Today Dear David, more and more in real terms. What After last week's issue and its have they done to try to prevent article about my Dad's garage I this? Nothing. Not only has the NUS Dear Dave, thought it time that I wrote in and Dear David, done nothing for Joe (or Jane) I am writing in reply to Steven explained generally how that story I am about to leave the College student, it has actually done more to Mercer's letter (FELIX 756) was born. after nearly thirty years looking damage the public image of students concerning Hamlet Gardens. Mr. Whilst I was sitting on my first after the College archives, and than any other organisation. It is Mercer seems to have been Undergraduate Studies Committee would like to express my they who have given the public the misinformed. one of the first items to get through appreciation of the help that idea that a university student is I have contacted the landlords' was that of paying departments a students of the College have given to automatically some kind of ultra- agents, through whom all the flats at sum' of money from the fund the archives office. It would not left wing dirty hippy who spends all Hamlet Gardens are let. They tell controlled by the committee to have been possible to undertake so his time going on protest marches me that the flat to which Mr. Mercer allow them to send lecturers away many exhibitions, displays, and the instead of staying at home and refers, which is in the basement, is in on courses. These courses would be organisation of professional and studying, and who spends all his fact a flat for only five. Space in aimed at improving their knowledge private functions without this grant money (which was provided what used to be a double room has of their courses or improving their assistance. FELIX editors and staff by the tax-payers) on nose-rings and been blocked off in order to create a lecture technique, or hopefully both. have been particularly helpful, first hair dye. This is the image we corridor to the cellar, thus making it Now silly little me thought that the of all yourself, for doing so much University students have, and we a single. Mr. Mercers' is a normal money the Undergraduate Studies artwork for the Great Queen's have the NUS to thank for it. Let us six-person flat. Committee was paying departments Tower project, and among previous ask ourselves again, what would we editors Pallab Ghosh, Mark Smith, Furthermore, I am told that the would go to bringing in a possibly gain by joining the NUS? replacement; apparently this is not Hugh Southey and especially David Yours sincerely, rent being charged for the basement Rowe who also has this marvelous flat is in fact £150 per week—rather so (quoted from the aforementioned llastair Seymour News. FELIX, Wednesday December 10th 1986 3 Silent QT Revisited Nightline The Students' Union is pressing the College not forseeing that users of procedures, but were denied access West London Nightline suffered an College for control of the QT snack QT would use the seating space in to the meeting.