5000 New Students Descend on City for Week of Madness

Exclusive for Freshers’ Week: The Hoosiers and The Automatic play the Union

For the full night time schedule, turn to Pulp on Page 9

ISSUE 1173 SEPTEMBER 2008 www.thecouriernewcastle.com FREE INSIDE

Competitions Win tickets to see the Mighty Boosh and The Streets live! Page 20

Welfare All you need to know about staying ﬁ t and healthy during the week Freshers’ Week 2008 Page 6 5000 new students descend on city for week of madness WELCOME TO Newcastle - a city famous galleries, this Freshers’ Week is about more remember to get your money’s worth! for many things that you will soon grow to than just partying – it’s about having new Finally, there is the 2008 Freshers’ Handbook love. experiences with new friends and getting to that will be handed to you as part of your But before you have a chance to meet the know the city that is now your home. welcome pack. Not only will it provide locals, sample the ‘Broon Ale’ or witness the Alongside all of the fun, there are huge you with something to remember Freshers’ fanatical following of the Toon Army, there measures in place to make sure your Week by, it also contains tons of information is another experience to enjoy that people all Freshers’ Week is safe as well as enjoyable. about the city and the area that can help you Activities across the country associate with your new Inside this special commemorative edition of get a head start on getting the most out of home city – Freshers’ Week! The Courier are details of all the tents, crews Newcastle and your student’s union. Renowned in the past as being one of the and services made available for your welfare, Remember, everything from Fresher’s Week Timetable best in the country, Freshers’ Week 2008 along with Top Tips on how to keep healthy to this newspaper has been put together and The complete timetable of the week’s is no exception – in fact, we’re conﬁ dent and happy during the week. produced by people who have been students activities the bar has been raised even higher. From Make sure you look after your wonderful and were once enjoying their Freshers’ Week September 20th to the 25th, the union will pink wristband which should now accompany just like you. Pages 11 & 12 greet 5000 new students, with this year’s you wherever you go for Fresher’s Week. It’s a brilliant experience, but it can also organizers determined to give you the They’re a nice soft fabric as well as being sometimes be a little overwhelming – don’t ultimate introduction to what for many of highly resilient (even to paintballing and worry if you feel like that, just talk to someone you will prove to be among the best years of break-dancing!) - so no excuses for them about it. Chances are they feel exactly the your lives. snapping off! same or have been there themselves! PLUS - know your t-shirts... life after Freshers’ They’ve worked their socks off to put As you get used to wearing you wristband, The important thing is to look after together a fantastic programme of events make sure you familiarise yourself with the yourselves (and each other), get as involved Week... ‘U-Card’ investigation... how to get in- to suit students of all tastes and interests. centre page timetable in this very newspaper in as much as you can and have fun! volved in university sport, societies and student With two top bands signed up and activities as well – it’ll tell you when everything is on Welcome to Newcastle, Class of 2008 – it’s media and everything else you need to know this ranging from F1 Go-Karting and paintballing so you don’t risk missing out on anything. going to be blast! Freshers’ Week - and beyond! to trips to the cities best museums and art Don’t be scared to try something new and WELCOME 2 Freshers’ Week 2008 [email protected]

Top Ten Tips for Freshers’ Week 1• Talk to as many people as possible… you never know who you might meet! 2• Make the most out of your wristband.... We offer a huge range of day time activities from paint balling to cocktail making, and a load of different nights out from live bands and club nights to nite golf and bingo! 3• Try out the Sports and Societies Fayre.. There’s everything from Rugby to the Circus Society so there should be something that takes your fancy! This is held up at the Claremont Sports Centre on the Mon- day and Tuesday between 10am-5pm. 4• Don’t forget to get your Smart Card (student card) from the King’s Road Centre, which is right next to the Union. 5• Try to get to know your fl at mates / people on your corridor. For some people these guys will be their best friends, for others they won’t. Don’t worry too much if for you it’s the latter…. There are over 3,000 freshers to choose from! Your main group of mates might come from your course or a sport or society instead. 6• Don’t panic if you don’t like your room… you won’t be the only one! But remember by the time you’ve decorated the place it will seem much better! 7• Try to remember if you feel a bit homesick not to worry. Moving to Uni can be a big transition and lots of people will feel like this at one point or another. Try to get involved as much as possible to keep yourself occupied and before you know it you’ll feel homesick when you’re away from the Toon! 8• Don’t forget to register with the doctor. You can do this at the well-fayre, which takes place between Monday and Wednesday in the Bamburgh Room in the Kings Road Centre. Welcome! WELCOME TO Newcastle University’s Freshers’ Week a comedy night. 9• In between making your 101 new best friends try to remember to 2008! We’re the 4 organisers of Freshers’ Week 2008 We hope that you thoroughly enjoy all that we have eat a few meals, drink plenty of water, call home and get a few hours Andi, Flick, Matt and Paul. organised and get involved in as much as you can, from sleep! So - you’re fi nally out of school, GCSE’s are long gone go-Karting to cocktail master classes and from The Hoos- and A-levels are thankfully in the past! Now it’s Degree iers to our Comedy night. Apart from having a great time 10• And most importantly… enjoy yourself! If you have any problems time and there’s a glimmer of being in the real world. The Freshers’ Week is the perfect time to meet new people and you can always drop into our Welfare Tent which will be outside the majority of you will be moving away from home for the to share a few drinks with them. Don’t be shy just turn to Union all week. fi rst time, this may scare the hell out of you or excite you the person next to you and say hello. to the point of wetting yourself, but either way the best Good luck in your Uni career, we all wish you the best thing to do now is to get involved in University life, start- possible time at Newcastle University! ing right here in Freshers’ Week! If Carlsberg did universities…. We’re all ex students having graduated at about the same time that you were sitting your exams and we’ve been The Courier & Pulp are printed by: Newcastle Chronicle & Journal Ltd, Groat working full time all summer (that’s 38 hours a week - not Market, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. NE1 1ED Tel: 0191 232750 nice after being used to only 12!) meticulously planning Much love, Established in 1948, The Courier is the fully independent Student Newspaper of the Union Society at the University of Newcastle-Upon-Tyne. Pulp, established in 2003, this week so that you will have the best possible introduc- exists as The Courier’s entertainments pullout. The Courier is published weekly dur- tion to Newcastle University. (from left to right), ing term time, and is free of charge. The design, text, photographs and graphics are copyright of The Courier and its We’ve organised a host of activities to keep you enter- individual contributors. No parts of this newspaper may be reproduced without the tained by day when you don’t have any compulsory lec- Matt, Flick, Andi & Paul prior permission of the Editor. Any views expressed in this newspaper’s opinion pieces are those of the individual writing, and not of The Courier, the Union Society tures, and booked some top class bands and DJ’s for the or the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. evening fun - and if bands and DJs aren’t your thing then xxxx there are alternative events available too like NiteGolf and Your Union... Your Host WHEN YOU fi rst arrive at univer- cieties interest you, then come and sectors, research positions and even sity, it’s not always obvious what Volunteering fi nd out about starting your own - it the occasion modelling or television exactly the student’s union is. can be about anything you like! and fi lm extra work! ‘Isn’t it just a cheap bar?’ ‘Is it run As greater numbers of people Finally there is student media. by the university?’ ‘Do I need to progress from A-levels to univer- The newspaper you’re holding is Representation pay to become a member?’ - those sity, employers in every sector are one of the biggest and widely cir- are the types of questions Freshers looking for evidence that you’ve culated student publications in the Every year at Easter, six fi nal year ask each year, and often don’t get done more than just your university country - writing for it is the ideal students are elected by their peers to the bottom of until much later in work. way to prepare for a career in jour- to help run the union in a sabbatical their time at university, if at all. SCAN places several students into nalism or the media. As well as the team which include your student The reality is that your student’s the local community, working on student paper, there is now a stu- president, education offi cer, athlet- union – called the ‘Union Society’ projects that benefi t Newcastle and dent radio station called NSR where ics offi cer, activities offi cer, welfare at Newcastle – has much more to the wider area as well as giving you you can get involved in everything offi cer and newspaper editor. offer you than just cheap alcohol, useful new skills and contacts. from production to putting on your These six graduates are the people is ran entirely independently from The Activities Centre is the place own shows. who ensure the direction the Un- the university and every single one to get involved with two corner- ion Society takes is geared towards of you are automatically a members stones of university life – sport and Advice your need and interests. They have already! societies. Team Newcastle is ranked been elected to represent you and in the top twenty of the BUSA rank- Upstairs on the second fl oor of the be there to answer any questions Entertainment ings (a kind of ‘Premier League’ for building are the SAC, the Student and help with any concerns you university sports). All of the sport at Advice Centre which can provide might have - so make use of them. The Union Society has several Newcastle University, from football support and advice for a whole In a few years, you could even cam- bars and cafes all of which pro- and rugby to extreme Frisbee are range of problems that you may en- paign to hold one of the positions vide affordable food and alcohol run through the Union Society, and counter during your time as a stu- yourself! in a ‘members only’ environment, if you want to fi nd out more about dent. From fi nancial and housing which means you know you will how to get involved it should be diffi culties, to any problems with For now though, enjoy your fi rst safe and surrounded by students your fi rst port of call. your peers or your course – its func- week at Newcastle University - and C like yourself. As a focal point for Then there’s 300 societies, too. tion is to offer free, impartial help remember to pop in a check out all socialising, the Union Society is the They include everything from the you can rely on. the ways in which the Union Soci- M only place with your true interests theatre society ‘NUTS’ to the ‘Real In addition there is the Student ety can help you get the most out Y at heart: all the money we make is Ale Society’! Job Shop. The job shop has excellent of your time here once the dust has K put directly back into the building All societies need committee links with employers all across the settled on another fantastic Fresh- and improving our services, which members to run properly and they city. It’s not just bar and shop work ers’ Week! is why our slogan is ‘not for profi t, all hold regular socials throughout they can offer you either - there’s just for students’! the year. If none of the existing so- often jobs in the care and education T-SHIRTS 3 Freshers’ Week 2008 [email protected] Your Freshers’ Crew: who wears what Freshers’ Week couldn’t exist without the 300 trusty volunteers known simply as ‘the crew’, a team made up of returning students who enjoyed their own Freshers’ Week so much they wanted to do it again! Here The Courier takes a closer look at the people you should turn to with any problems or questions this week

RED ORANGE GREEN YELLOW FRESHERS’ WEEK ORGANISERS THE CREW CREW SUPERVISOR CHIEF SUPERVISOR

The four organisers, Paul, Andi, Flick and The people you will see the most of during Easily spotted by their authoritative swagger Former Crew and Supervisors, these guys tend Matt were elected in December and since then the week, due to the fact there are 200 of them and shiny radio these guys each have a crew to be a bit older and wiser! They have experi- have been planning your Freshers’ Week! they’re all wearing bright orange! of ten to look after. enced all the fun, happiness and tears of the They have devoted their entire summer to They do everything from helping you move They have each done crew before so tend to previous Freshers’ Weeks. organising daytime activities and night-time into halls, to taking you on trips and pub have a good idea of what’s going on. During the week they work behind the scenes events to suit everyone and to ensure Newcas- crawls. Aways energetic and enthusiastic, the They make sure their crew get you to the helping the Organisers. They also have Super- tle University keeps its reputation as having crew are dedicated to making sure you guys right place at the right time and get enough visors to look after and pass their knowledge the best Freshers’ Week in the country! have the best week possible! sleep to carry on the next day! onto!

LIGHT BLUE ROYAL BLUE HOT PINK PURPLE DRIVERS CHIEF DRIVERS OFFICERS THE MEDIA

The drivers are the people who take you on The Chief Drivers are in charge of the driv- The offi cers are made up of six full-time Sab- Easily spotted by their cameras, the media all the activities during the week and bring ing clan and have all been driving in Freshers’ batical offi cers and a number of part-time of- will be taking photos all week of the various you home after your nights out. Week for a number of years. fi cers who together were elected to run the activities and nights out we have to offer. They are some of the hardest working vol- The Chief Drivers this year are Chester, Liz, Union for the year. It is quite likely that if you’re snapped your unteers and without them Freshers’ Week Apex and Dr Pip. It is unlikely you will see They will be in the Welfare Tent all week photo could be in next week’s Courier! We wouldn’t get further than the Union! Watch them doing much driving themselves, as they and will also be giving Union Tours of the run a special retrospective on Freshers’ Week out for these guys when they are off duty will be busy behind the scenes making sure all building. They will be happy to help with with photos from all of your activities and though as they can party harder than most! the minibuses get to their activities on time. any queries or problems you have. nights out so keep an eye out. Fame at last!

DID YOU KNOW? Over 1000 students applied to get on to Freshers’ Crew... such is the excitement each year of Freshers’ Week in Newcastle! Every single person was interviewed before the Crew was chosen so you know the people chosen are the best of the best! Keep an eye out come February/March for crew application forms, and you never know you could be one of the people helping next year’s freshers settle in! Freshers’ Week Activity Guide

Activities - How to sign up... DURING Freshers’ Week you will need to sign up for activities in the marquee outside of the Union to guarantee your spot on the more popular events. Sign-up for all activities will be from 2:30 - 5:00 the day before the event is due to take place. This timing ensures that you will be able to sign up for activities, register and go to your induction lectures. All of the activities leave from outside the Union. Just look out for the Freshers’ Crew holding up signs for the activity! For the full timetable of daytime activities turn to pages 12 and 13, for some details about each activity read below.

Ann Summers Party (Girls Only) Break Dancing Lessons Go-Karting Laing Art Gallery

No need to worry about organising One of our newer activities, take This is a great chance for the For the more cultured among you or getting a big enough group, just some professional guidance from budding Lewis Hamiltons among the Laing art gallery offers a come along and release your sexual the people who really know what you to show your stuff! With 200cc dynamic exhibition with an exciting inhibitions, and maybe treat they’re doing! If you already have Karts and computer lap timing variety of art. yourself (or your boyfriend) in the rhythm this is perfect, and if you there’s a real chance to improve The Laing has a very impressive process! don’t then why not try and ﬁ nd some! your driving skills…or simply just race round permanent collection including landscapes This activity is new this year and is Make sure your ﬂ exible and have no back the track! by John Martin and sculpture by Henry guaranteed to give you a few laughs, problems! Just over the water into Gateshead it only Moore. For a peak at their many temporary there will be a bar open and so drinking is takes about 15 minutes to get there so leaves exhibitions go to www.twmuseums.org.uk/ optional. more time to burn it up! laing/whatson/.

Asda Trips MetroCentre Ice Skating Bit of a necessity really if you’re in self-catered halls and pretty self MetroCentre is Europe’s largest This can be a potentially painful shopping and leisure centre and it explanatory! Go pick up some experience that always looks easier weekly necessities or get those has everything you could possible than it is. Whether you’re a future need for the perfect day out. kitchen utensils that you simply Torvill and Dean or one of those forgot, everyone forgets something. Nowhere in Europe have you people who has to hold the side got more retailers, restaurants and leisure Be careful not to buy too much, you may be and only manages to get round once per hour able to get one of the buses back to your halls attractions for your complete enjoyment, and it’ll be good fun! there are even are few brands that can’t be but only if there is one available, so either Cinema trips The resident Ice Hockey team may be there chat up the driver or get a taxi number! found elsewhere in the North East or indeed so you can see how good you really are! the UK! Want to see a classic movie Full length spandex is optional for any Apart from the shops and restaurants there somewhere that’s “more than just a Blades of Glory fans. is Quasar Lasar “serious fun with a laser soulless place to see the latest gun”, and an Odeon cinema. Beach Trip ﬂ icks”? Then come and see ‘Grease’ and ‘Anchorman’ at the excellent Weather depending, visit the coast Tyneside Cinema right in the centre of town. (only about 15 minutes away) and My apartment smells of rich mahogany. chill out on the gold sanded delights I want to be on you….I WANT TO BE ON of the North East! Venture into the YOU! North Sea at your own risk, it can Anyone know any lines from Grease?? be quite cold! The nice wide beaches are perfect for rugby balls or footballs, and the best Fish and Chips Discovery museum in the country are just up from the beach, perfect as long as its sunny! If you fancy a bit of learning and fun during Freshers’ Week then get down to the Discovery, the North Bowling East most popular museum. It’s an interactive museum where Perfect for a bit of bonding with you can discover all about life in Newcastle your new ﬂ at mates and a bit of and Tyneside, from the area’s renowned friendly competition (or not so maritime history and world-changing science friendly), this is one of the most and technology right through to fashion frequent and popular events that through the eras and military history. we run. With the added bonus that there’s a Plenty to keep you entertained for a couple bar, there is the option to drink. of hours!

Cocktail Training courtesy of Revolution Bar Who’s watched Cocktail and wanted to be Tom Cruise or wanted Ikea Trips Paintballing to be on Tom Cruise?!?! Lads: add to the list to impress. Ladies: learn Does your new home for a year This is without a doubt the most how to make those cosmos like seem a bit bare? Need a bed side fun you can have in a boiler suit in Carrie! table or a funky print to cover the the woods! Paintballing is always Let professional cocktail makers from the mark you’ve already made?? fun and always a little bit painful, nationally famous Revolution Bar take you usually resulting in a few bruises. You can buy anything from plants C through the key points in making a cocktail. to cutlery in this fantastic place, just be wary One of the most popular activities so make A brand new activity this year which both how much you buy as you need to get in back sure you sign up as early as possible the day M sexes will deﬁ nitely enjoy! on the bus, and make sure that you don’t get you want to go! Y lost as this place is huge! K Rock Climbing St James Park Tours Pub Crawls

The climbing wall is at Eldon Whether you’re a devout Geordie These are perfect for meeting new Leisure, set up for those of you who supporter or simply a diehard people, as with all of our events fancy yourselves as spider man. football fan then you’ll be queuing drinking is optional and so even if Eldon Leisure Climbing Wall boasts to get on this trip! Take a look inside you don’t drink these activities will state of the art facilities and excellent the changing rooms, fi nd out what be great for simple sitting down to bouldering walls. it feels like to stand pitch side and check out have a drink and seeing a bit of the legendary Within walking distance of the union with the view from the highest point in the toon! plenty of crash mats and with professional stadium. Who knows, maybe Sir Alan himself Let the crew in orange lead you around instructors, it’s a nice and simple activity. will lead the tour… your chosen area to some of the best bars in the town and you can discover for yourself why Newcastle has such a good reputation when it comes to its nightlife. Union Tours The different pub crawls will be leaving at Pole Dancing Lessons different times from outside the Union so be Defi nitely an essential! sure to check the timetable on pages 12 and An expert Pole Dancer will teach The tours will only last about 10 13 to see when to meet, you won’t be able you how to work your stuff around minutes and it will give you an to miss the crew standing on tables with a pole (not as dodgy as it sounds!). insight into all that the Union has laminated signs. This wouldn’t just be for impressing to offer. Not forgetting the massive bar crawl on your other half; it’s also a great way You’ll be shown the Job Shop for anyone Thursday night were thousands of students to keep fi t. Hot pants and high heals needing a part-time job, the Student Advise will be descending towards the Gate in the optional…. Centre (pretty self explanatory), the Activities heart of the city - a truly amazing sight! Offi ce for any sports and societies enthusiasts, Unfortunately these pub crawls will be and the Print Shop, as well as seeing the host strictly OVER 18’s. of catering that the Union offers: Proper For some more details on the pub crawl Pasties, bacon butty in the morning, and a destinations keep reading. pizza cooked for you in under 2 minutes!!

SUNDAY Water Park Trip: ‘Wet n Wild’ Jesmond Does exactly what is says on the tin. However scared you think that the This is one of the most popular student think you’ve been and however areas in Newcastle and we’ll be introducing many thrilling rides you think you to the many pubs and bars the infamous you’ve been on…you’ve done Osborne Road has to offer. Being only 15 nothing if you haven’t done the Kamikaze at minutes for the Uni its easy to get to. Wet ‘n’ Wild! For all intents and purposes it’s a whacking MONDAY great big vertical drop in a tube with water! Being the UK’s largest water park there are Central Station plenty of other rides to throw you about, and for the more fragile of Freshers’ there is also Not just a place for train-spotters, there are a lazy river. a number of class bars to have a drink in too! WEDNESDAY Starting by the station and the heading down towards the “diamond strip” this is one of Quayside the classier crawls. Defi nitely the smartest part of town with Jesmond magnifi cent views of the Tyne Bridge, Same as Sunday! Millennium Bridge, the Baltic and the Sage. Right down on the quayside are some of the TUESDAY nicest bars in town. Newcastle City Centre THURSDAY This is the simplest crawl that you could Skiing Lessons for beginners go on, most of the bars and pubs you’ll visit are only a few minutes away from the Haymarket/Monument/The Gate Union. There are also a few hidden gems to For anyone interested in getting This pub crawl is always the largest as its the involved in the Uni Ski and Afternoon in the Park discover! fi nal night of Freshers’ Week. Last year, over Snowboard group, taking Ski trips 3,000 Freshers were a part of it! Defi nitely every Christmas and Easter, sign Hosted by the Christian Union in Whitley Bay NOT one to miss! up for this beginner lesson and get conjunction with Christians in Going from the Union between 7 and 8:30 an hour’s guidance from a fully Sport, CIS, this event is new this Ahh Whitley Bay! Don’t miss the chance to we’ll take you to places where we have pre- qualifi ed instructor. year and gives you Freshers’ the visit this lively town on the coast. It’s one of arranged some drinks deals and then onto The Silksworth Dry Ski Slope comprises opportunity for a nice relaxing the most popular pub crawls every year and the fi nal venue down near the Gate. of 3 slopes, the main being 165 metres, afternoon in one of Newcastle’s many parks. the organiser girls favourite! and 2 nursery slopes for beginners and There will be touch rugby, frisbee and food As well as the bars there is the chance to tuition lessons which is where you will be to keep you entertained. All you need to do pick up some fi sh and chips fresh from the accompanied by your instructor. is hope for some nice weather! North Sea! As well as putting on this great event for us the Christian Union will be giving out tea and coffee over the whole of Freshers’ Week Surfi ng from the Welfare Tent which will be located Drinking vs. Not-Drinking just outside of the Union. We understand that throughout Freshers’ Week some people will either not want to drink Head out to Tynemouth into the Look in the evening pages for more events or due to being under 18 will not be allowed to drink, and so we have created these logos so capable hands of the Rubber Soul organised by the Christian Union: an acoustic that you know what to expect from each event. Here is what they all mean: surfi ng company. You’ll be given a night, a pub quiz, and the grub crawl, a 2 hour surf lesson by professionals highly popular journey around town where and given a nice warm wetsuit so you’ll be taken to a different restaurant for the North Sea will be that bit more bearable! starter, main and then dessert! This is a NON-DRINKING event, alcohol is not available and should not be Remember swimming gear and a bag to put consumed whilst taking part in this event. your things in.

This is an OPTIONAL drinking event and alcohol will be available but these events are by no means based around alcohol. U18’s will not be allowed to consume alcohol at these events.

This is primarily a DRINKING event. Of course you do not have to drink but be aware that alcohol is available at these events. U18’s are NOT allowed to attend these events.

Drinking is STRICTLY FORBIDDEN before and during this event for your own safety. Rock Climbing St James Park Tours Pub Crawls

This is an OPTIONAL drinking event and alcohol will be available but these events are by no means based around alcohol. U18’s will not be allowed to consume alcohol at these events.

This is primarily a DRINKING event. Of course you do not have to drink but be aware that alcohol is available at these events. U18’s are NOT allowed to attend these events.

Drinking is STRICTLY FORBIDDEN before and during this event for your own safety. WELFARE 6 Freshers’ Week 2008 [email protected] Pee in a what?! IT’S NOT every day your Union what has been the outcome of your will invite you to ‘pee in a pot’ but test, just seven days after you’ve you’ll get the opportunity to do just given your sample. that when free Chlamydia testing Other ‘Pee In A Pot’ dates have will be offered to all students. been confi rmed throughout the On Wednesday 24th September year, and you can also visit the SAC from 11-2pm, outside Rijo’s smooth- for the sexual health drop in. You ie bar, representatives will be on can ask about advice, supplies and call for anyone who might have a get tested every Friday 12-3pm. niggling doubt or simply wants that If you ever have any queries or much needed peace of mind. concerns feel free to visit the Stu- The results will be as discreet as dent Support Offi cer or the SAC, you request, with a choice of text, both situated on the 1st fl oor down phone call or e-mail to let you know the Student Services corridor. Take me home THE THIRTY strong squad wear- be more than happy to have a chat ing light blue t-shirts, are the won- on the way to dropping you off at derful drivers of Freshers’ Week. home. They volunteer to make sure that So, the lesson of the day? Love you reach your activities during the your driver and they, in turn, will day safely and usually with a smile love you back and get you home on your face! safe and sound. Even more importantly they are A word to the wise... Always re- there until the early hours of the member that they will be sober at morning ensuring that all new stu- all times and regailing your driver dents get home safely after a heavy with a heartwarming rendition night. Fantastically, this also in- of the Baywatch theme tune after cludes students living locally, not Heaven and Hell may be fun to you, just those returning to halls! but there is the distinct chance that Meet the Crew Highly skilled in the art form of it will also bring back a response conversations with the tired and harsher than that of Simon Cowell! Student ‘gurus’ on hand all week in the Welfare Tent drunk, your driver is a loveable and Woof! enthusiastic individual who will ARRIVING at university for the fi rst time in an unfamil- clinic. iar city can be a scary experience. Enter…..The Crew! Come and sit in the tent for a chat or a bit of peace when- Wearing pink t-shirts, the Crew will answer any ques- ever you want or if the week becomes a bit much and you tions or worries you might have. After all, they’ve all been need a calming infl uence. there - many were in your position this time last year and In fact, if you need ANYTHING just pop in and they’ll all Crew have been specially hand picked as Student Gu- be able to help you or point you in the direction of some- rus to look after you. one who can. The Welfare Tent (located by the front steps of the Un- From Monday to Wednesday make sure you pop along ion) is a place of peace and tranquillity equipped with all to the King’s Road Centre (near the Union, just ask a crew the advice, FREE tea and FREE condoms you could ever member and they’ll escort you) to sign up to a local doc- need. tor. In the tent you will fi nd the six student sabbatical offi c- There is absolutely nothing too big or too small that you ers of the Union including our Student Support Offi cer can’t ask either the crew or the staff in the Welfare Tent. Pete. They’ll be there from 9am until the small hours of We hope that your transition to student life goes well, but the morning when the Union closes and you’re all tucked if there are any bumps along the way, we’ll bend over up in bed, alongside staff from the Student Advice Cen- backwards to smooth them out! tre, The Samaritans, the Chaplaincy and the NHS GUM ‘Watch Your Drink!’ Fire safety advice STARTING university and living organisations. Safe drinking campaign to run during Freshers’ Week away from home is both exciting Please read your Terms and and daunting for many people. Conditions Booklet and go along and let me know so that you the infl uence. important to you and will With so much going on and to to one of the Student Induction can have your say: I sit on So look out for the pro- get opportunities to expe- get involved with, it’s no sur- talks which has a presentation both Union and University motional material, such rience events and charity prise that some people forget that about fi re safety, in the meantime committees throughout the as drink mixers, beer mats promotion. there’s more to living in their own remember year, which is where I can and unit calculators, dot- This could be anything fl at than getting up when they voice these opinions. ted around the union and from being a condom fairy please and wondering whose turn • DON’T LEAVE COOKING My drop-in session is on feel free to use the drink to helping out with the or- it is to make the dinner. UNATTENDED – IN THE LAST a Wednesday 12-2 in my ‘spikeys’ (brightly coloured ganisation of the union’s All of the accommodation 2 YEARS THIS HAS CAUSED offi ce on the student serv- plastic things that you put legendary dance night, owned and managed by the Uni- 2 SUBSTANTIAL FIRES WITH ices corridor on the 1st in the top of your bottle to Arcane – all great for the versity has very sophisticated fi re DAMAGE IN EXCESS OF fl oor of the union, but feel guard against anyone spik- C.V..! Crew t-shirts will detection systems, the majority of ₤30 000 free to pop in anytime with ing you) that are available also be supplied, complete which automatically alert the Fire any problems, to pick up on the bars. with a host of night-time Service when set off. This means • KEEP FIRE DOORS SHUT FREE condoms and safety socials to top it off. So if that they will always attend even AND EXTRACTOR UNITS ON alarms, or even just for a you want to get involved in the event of a false alarm which AS NOT DOING SO IS THE friendly chat! I’m all ears... or even fancy being a fi rst- could prevent them from going to BIGGEST REASON FOR FALSE HELLO! My name’s Pete year halls campaigns rep, Mercer and I’m your Stu- a real emergency where people’s ALARMS ‘Watch Your Drink!’ give me a shout on sup- lives are at risk. dent Support Offi cer for [email protected]. the coming year. With your help we can make a • DON’T INTERFERE WITH This Freshers’ Week, I’m real difference so please act re- ANY FIRE FIGHTING EQUIP- I was elected to look after launching an all-new sen- your welfare, so if you’ve sponsibly and together with Ac- MENT – THEY ARE THERE TO sible drinking campaign commodation and Hospitality SAVE YOUR LIFE got an issue – no matter called ‘Watch Your Drink!’ how big or small – then I’m Services and Tyne and Wear Fire Hopefully you’ll have an and Rescue Service we can all car- • FAMILIARISE YOURSELF your man! amazing time during fresh- I also run all the cam- ry on the hard work that has gone WITH SIGNED ESCAPE ROOTS ers (I know I did!) and it’ll WAC Crew into reducing unwanted calls to AND ALWAYS EVACUATE THE paigns throughout the year be THE week to remember. with the Campaigns Offi cer create a safer environment and BUILDING ON HEARING THE However - at the risk of This is a year-long crew C on a range of issues, from community. ALARM sounding like a complete organised by myself and Any resident whose careless- M housing to sexual health, drip – it is important just the Campaigns offi cer that ness, negligence or irresponsible Enjoy yourself at University, Y from personal safety to to remind you of your lim- strives to increase aware- mental wellbeing. I’m here behaviour leads to the Fire Serv- enjoy all the city has to offer but K its, the negative effects of ness across a variety of ice attending their fl at will be don’t put the lives of yourself, to represent you so if you abusing these limits, and causes. Volunteers will be have a particular issue or fi ned with the money raised go- your fl atmates and the local com- of the issues surrounding summoned to get out there ing to the Fire Service’s charitable munity at risk by being daft. feel that something needs vulnerability when under and campaign for what’s to be changed, please come

C M Y K

The ﬁ rst OFFICIAL night of Newcastle Universities Freshers Week 2008!!!

Jump on one of our buses from halls and get yourselves down for a SCHOOL DISCO themed night from 8pm @ the Union! One last time to say goodbye to your old school days, so if you didn’t throw out or burn your uniform when you ﬁ nished school then put on those ties, shirts, blazers and hats. Buy yourself a marker pen (if you aren’t that good at remembering names then write them on your shirts!). There are two venues for tonight both open till 3am, so there will be no disappointment!

Music…. All three ﬂ oors of the Union building will be transformed with blackboards and desks. Our regular Friday night DJ will be playing those old skool tunes we all love. In the Basement you can ﬁ nd mainstream, chart, dance and student anthems to suit all tastes. With Basement 2 just next door you can expect indie, old and new, rock and alternative dance. Upstairs in the Global why not try out some R&B and hiphop. There really is something for everyone!

Extras… Outside the Union you will be welcomed by ﬁ re eaters, grinders and dancers. Help yourself to the candyﬂ oss and popcorn and have a go at winning a prize on our fun fair stalls. Inside the Union there will be lots of freebies to try and add to your fancy dress attire, see who can collect the most stash.

A NEW NIGHT JUST FOR YOU! You are going to be the ﬁ rst people to experience the brand new club night called “UNITE”, which will be happening every Friday @ the Union. Your wristband will get you half price entry to the ﬁ rst Friday on 26th September. This will show who has the most stamina to last for a whole six nights!

C M Y K Tonight is the ﬁ rst of two band nights we have for this year’s Freshers’ Week…

Newcastle Student’s Union can proudly present THE AUTOMATIC as headliners! Shooting to fame with their undeniably catchy hit ‘Monster’ in 2006, the Automatic have been going strong ever since with hits such as ‘Raoul’ and ‘Recover’. After extensive touring of their ﬁ rst album, ‘Not Accepted Anywhere’, the band returned to the studio to record follow up ‘This is a Fix’. With lead single ‘Steve McQueen’ being played on Radio One all summer long, the band look set for continued success. After going down a treat at Reading and Leeds over the summer and about to embark on a UK wide tour, the band should be raring to go tonight! In addition to the Automatic we have support from some of Newcastle’s ﬁ nest. First up are Leagues followed by Viva City, all in all making tonight not one to be missed!

Other venue... Alternative If The Automatic isn’t your type of music then we have another venue lined up for you: Tup Tup Palace on the Diamond Stip in Newcastle, one of the newest and Event coolest bars in town. With its classy interior and an oriental and middle eastern fl are downatirs with its fl aming bar, and then a climate controlled glass house upstairs this is a great place to either relax with some chill out tunes or dance the night away GRUB CRAWL downstairs. If the fi rst two options of the Automatic or Tup Tup Palace aren’t up your street then the Christian Union will be taking a “Grub Crawl” through town. Free when you have a wristband, the Christian Union will take you to a different restaurant for starter, main and then pudding. This is always a popular event so make sure that you get down to the Union for around 6:45pm. Suitable for vegetarians. HYENA COMEDY NIGHT For any comedy lovers out there, this event will be starting from the Union @ 6.30pm. The Hyena Comedy Club is the After the Union closes the night will still be young, so we’ll be ideal venue for both comedy lovers off to Digital nightclub and Tup Tup Palace to show you the and all-round party people. best Newcastle has to offer on a Monday. If you need a more chilled night out or you need cheering up because you are missing home, this is the place to be! Sign-up is between 2:30pm and 5pm THE DAY BEFORE THE EVENT IS DUE TO OCCUR, in the marquee outside the Union.

C M Y K

PANDAMONIUM…..

Your chance to dance to some of the nation’s biggest dance DJ’s. Mix and match your music with a taste of breaks, electro, indie, drum and bass and much more! This is where your Pandamonium t-shirts and panda face paint need to come out. Don’t miss out on this epic night, the partying lasts from 8pm till 3am.

The Urban Knights... In a world where every party, rave, club and festival has a DJ, it’s not unusual to ask…..”what comes next?”….the answer is DVJs! Disk Video Jockey’s. Tonight you will see the worlds of music and video incorporated together. Our headliners ‘The Urban Knights’ will be in the Basement till the early hours of the morning. The Knights pride themselves on originality and adding theatricality to performance. Signature to their video performance is the incorporation of costumes and masks. They tailor their sets so you will never see the same performance twice. Alternative event

ROCK SOCIETY, RockSoc, Barcrawl For any rock lovers, Newcastle’s very own Rock Society will be Supporting... leading a bar crawl around the city before Support acts include TC Monckton and Rex the Dog. TC has DJ’d at the Union arriving at the city’s largest alternative before and has played alongside Groove Armarda, 2 Many DJ’s and Tom music venue, Legends. A bar crawl not to Middleton. be missed! Rex the Dog, recently interviewed by Annie Mac, and having created some of the most exciting and provocative dance music of the last few years, Rex has proven to be one talented Mutt. PUB QUIZ If dance does not take your fancy, then go along to Basement 2 just next door to the main room for some drum and bass. Alternatively if you go If you partied too hard for the ﬁ rst two nights and more upstairs to the Global you will ﬁ nd indie and some soul groovers! dancing is the last thing you want to do, then the pub quiz is a good thing to do before you have that early night! C Get yourselves down to the Union for 7.45pm M and see if you can win yourselves any prizes.... Y K Tonight is the second of our band nights for this year’s Freshers’ Week…

The Second of our band nights sees THE HOOSIERS take to the stage as headliners! The past year has been full of success for the band. They’ve had a string of hits; ‘Goodbye Mr A’, ‘Worst Case Scenario’ and of course ‘Worried About Ray’ and their debut album ‘The Trick To Life’, went to number one and has now been certiﬁ ed double platinum! Describing their brand of music as “Odd pop” and explaining their desire to write songs that are about more than just “boy and girl.. ﬁ nding love on a Friday night on the lash with your mates” the Hoosiers are anything but your average pop band. Over the summer the boys have been somewhat of a favourite on the festival circuit, having played Glastonbury, Oxygen and V Fest to name a few, you can be sure of a blinding set tonight! After the Union closes we will be hitting the Toon for some more dancing! The Crew will be taking you to the infamous Blu Bambu, one of Newcastle’s biggest and best loved clubs for a Beach Party! 8 tons of sand....

Supporting... You can also look forward to music from support acts; Ever Since The Lake Caught Fire and Detroit Social Club. Alternative Event Morgan Spiced festival at 12:30

Compliments of Morgan’s Spiced Rum there will BINGO AND BOWLING be a BBQ outside the Union with Morgan Spiced fl avoured chicken. If the Hoosiers are not your kind of thing then make Together with this there will be a Morgan’s Spiced sure you still come down to the Union for 7pm to be tasting session in the marquee, be sure to bring whisked off by our buses to go and enjoy either some your fl yer with you from wristband registration evening bowling or a bit of bingo. to claim your free sample of Morgan’s and If you want an early night then you will be dropped back off to Coke. return to your beds, alternatively our crew will take you As well as a BBQ and free Morgan’s on down to Blu Bambu to dance the rest of the and Coke there will be music, beach night away! balls fl ying about and a great festival feeling! Get down for about 12:30pm and get involved in the festival! Food, drink and a whole lot of fun! SYNERGY is the night Freshers’ Week has been building up to! Starting at the Union from 7pm, we’ll be running one of the largest pub crawls the country has seen! Last year over 3,000 freshers went, make sure you’re one of them this year! Come down to the Union for a drink or two and when you’re ready the Freshers’ Crew will take you to a couple more bars round town, before heading to a venue that has been created especially for you! The fi nal destination is a combination of two of Newcastle’s largest clubs, joined together to form one giant superclub!

There will be GRAFFITI on the walls, GLOW STICKS all over the place, and UV LIGHTS shining into every corner. Make sure you get your rave on! Known individually as Tiger Tiger and Sam Jacks, the neighbouring venues will be transformed for ONE NIGHT ONLY to become SYNERGY and will be exclusively for Freshers! This night looks set to be the perfect end to one of the most memorable weeks ever! Make sure you don’t miss out on the last night of your Freshers’ Week! Alternative Event

POKER TOURNAMENT

We really hope you’ve had an amazing time during Freshers’ Week and enjoyed all the Aspers Casino are hosting a poker events day and night! For those of you who aren’t too tired we’ll see you at the ﬁ rst Unite of tournament just for you. Meet the crew term tomorrow! at the Union @ 7:45. Whether you’re an experienced poker player or just fancy giving it a go, everyone is welcome. £5 buy-in, winner takes all! Once you have won a few £’s then come and spend them at the last night of Freshers’ Week just round the corner from Aspers.

ACOUSTIC NIGHT

C This night will be held at the upper bar in Shearers, starting from M the Union @ 7.45pm. A more chilled out night for those who have Y overdone it during the week and fancy a more relaxed atmosphere. K

C M Y K LIFE AFTER FRESHERS’ WEEK 19 Freshers’ Week 2008 [email protected] Freshers’ Week is over. What now? The Courier looks at how you can ﬁ ll your days once the dust has settled on FW ‘08

We offer a range of services to current un- dergraduates and postgraduates including advertising hundreds of part-time, tempo- #2 Find a Job rary and vacation positions in the Newcas- tle area. LET’S face it, student loans only stretch so far, and The Student Job Shop has been developed if help from Mummy and Daddy isn’t forthcoming in response to the increasing number of students hav- you might need to heed the wise words of The Off- ing to seek employment whilst at university. The Job spring when they sang ‘Na, na ba-by why don’t you Shop is a Student Employment Service, acting as an get a job...?’ information exchange (rather than an employment The common perception is that typical student jobs agency) between students seeking temporary and are typically rubbish, and tend to resemble those that part-time work, and employers seeking temporary or some of us held down during our A-levels: waitress- part-time workers. ing, dish-washing or pulling pints. Noble proffesions We are based on the fi rst fl oor of the Union Society these undoubtabely are, so if you’re happy sticking to building and are open in both term time and vacation what you know then go ahead. periods. However there are other options open now that As in previous years, the Student Job Shops at New- you’ve begun your degree. You might not have the castle and Northumbria Universities will be combin- parchment in your hands quite yet, but the fact you’ve ing forces to hold their Joint Part-time Recruitment been accepted onto your course speaks for its self. Fair during the Autumn Term from 11am - 3.30pm If you’re an English Literature student, for exam- on Tuesday 7th October 2008 to be held at The Venue, #1 Give it a Go ple, why not apply to work for a library? The pay is Students’ Union, Northumbria University. WHILST here at Newcastle Univer- low as possible - sessions cost any- good, and if you work for the council you’ll be located There will be part-time, temporary and vacation sity, there is no excuse for boredom! thing up to £5 (not bad we don’t all over parts of the city you’ll never have otherwise work opportunities for Newcastle students - hun- All you have to do is come up to the think considering we take you to seen. dreds of students have found work through attend- Activities Centre at the Union Soci- most of the events, and bring you If you’re an Art student, why not freelance for the ing this event in the last few years. Come along on the ety, and you will fi nd two or three back!) and some are even free! Union Society marketing department making their day to meet loads of employers who have part-time, one-off activities a week which we We look forward to you coming posters, or ask local theatres if they need designers temporary and Christmas /Summer Work opportu- call the Give it a Go programme. and buying tickets from the Activi- for their props and backgrounds? nities for YOU! We give you the chance to try a ties Centre, and getting involved. Af- It needn’t just be arts students either. Lots of jobs Keep checking our pages on the Union Society web- whole host of activities, broadly split ter the session, there is no pressure can be complimented by whichever study you do, the site for all the latest job vacancies, and for other useful up into the categories of sporting ses- on you to do anything further with most transferable being tutoring others or joining re- information and links including sions, outdoors, skills, social, volun- the skills you will inevitably devel- search projects. the lowdown on the minimum teering, and the exciting and random op, but if you do want to, just get in Identifying the job you want is one thing, fi nding wage, National Insurance, (allowing us to do ANYTHING) touch and we will set you up with it can be quite another. That’s where the Student Job travel around Newcastle, your ‘other’ category! the appropriate people (usually stu- Shop can help. Located upstairs in the Union build- working rights, other good Throughout the term, you will fi nd dents much like yourself) who can ing, here’s what the SJS had to say about themselves: sources of jobs and more.” yourself climbing in Sunderland, at get you practicing your new hobby the cinema up at Silverlink, Dancing with other likeminded people. “The Student Job Shop is the student employment There you go then. Good in the Bassment here at the Union, The programme really is for you, so service based at Newcastle University’s Students’ Un- luck! playing Badminton at the University if you have any ideas on what you ion. Sports Centre, cleaning up the river and your mates would like to give a down in South Tyneside, and maybe, go, then email Emily on adc.union@ just maybe, surfi ng in the North Sea! ncl.ac.uk and you may well see it in perfection only to roll back And that’s not all. Log onto www. the programme. All suggestions are out several hours later having unionsociety/giveitago for more de- welcome, and there is a fair chance danced and laughed your way tails of the full programme, or pick that we will put it in the programme to resembling a member of the one up from the Union reception. for you in January (within reason!) #3 Have a Ball! Bash Street Kids without a care The great thing is, we keep costs as AS you’re soon to discover, the end of Freshers’ in the world. The beauty of the James Bond theme is Week is an occasion that can take some getting that you can give a knowing nod to this inevitable over. transition by packing a toy gun inside your suit jacket Once the tents are packed away, the buses trudge or perhaps arriving in a rocket-armed Aston Martin off back to their depots and the last of the air siphons (pending M’s approval, of course). from the fi nal balloon, what is left to refl ect upon be- For only £27.99, the Freshers’ Ball represents good sides the reality of coursework and the sudden ab- value for money with entertainment and a full feed in- sence of go-karting trips and en masse pub crawls? cluded (rumour has it pizza will be doing the rounds at You’ve made a hundred new friends and entered a midnight on top of everything else). Most importantly hundred new numbers into your phone, but where though, it should help you get over the post-Freshers’ WHITE WATER RAFTING can you get all of these people back together again? Week blues, and reunite you with faces you last saw Was it all just a dream? down the target of a paintball rifl e or spinning in an WHEN? Weds 3rd Dec, 2:30-3:30 on the Water. (transport time to take into Not this year. The Union Society has decided that approximation of a pole dance, providing an answer consideration). a follow up event to your Freshers’ Week is only fair fi nally to the question that has been bugging you for WHERE? Teesside WWR. given all the hard work you’re about to put into par- weeks – ‘who exactly is this ‘Dave’/’Sandra’/’Peter’ I DETAILS: 24 people max. 6 per raft, 4 rafts. http://www.4seasons.co.uk/ tying and making friends, and what better way to have saved in my phone again…!?’ compliment a week of glorious informality than with a decadent Ball, specially for all of you? CLIMBING On Tuesday 14th October the basement of the Union will be transformed. Forget your hazy recollections of WHEN? Wednesday 1st October. 2pm jiving mid-riffs and laser light shows from Unite, the WHERE? Sunderland Climbing Wall. room will instead have become the ultimate James DETAILS: http://www.sunderlandwall.co.uk/ Bond themed casino, fully draped and ready to re- ceive you in your Sunday best! The plans really do suggest that the Union is going SURFING all out to give you a Freshers’ Ball to remember. Start- ing with a drinks reception in the Men’s Bar, your WHEN? 29th October, 2pm ticket will go on to get you a 2 course meal, a live WHERE? Tynemouth Surf School band and DJ, casino tables, magicians, a ‘fastest gun’ DETAILS: 10 person maximum. Can add another lesson if needs be and challenge to out shoot 007 and an array of other side do a further 10 at 3pm. Only one session booked for now. http://www.rub- shows. bersoulsurfi ng.co.uk/surf_school.html Balls come thick and fast at University, with various society balls, the Snow Ball at Christmas and, eventu- ally (though you may not believe it now) your own SELF DEFENCE Graduation Ball coming soon! These types of events are the natural successors to your sixth form balls and WHEN? Wednesday 8th October. 2pm and 4pm. are always more memorable than your average night WHERE? Extension event taking GIAG into Halls, venues TBC out. DETAILS: Using Jitsu Instructor Steven Bell A lot of how much you fi nd them may depend on your feelings about getting dressed up smart. For girls of course, wearing a nice frock is more often than not NEURO-MUSCULAR RELAXATION a wonderful (if stressful!) experience – for boys, it’s more a case of knowing how to do your tie up proper- WHEN? Wednesday 15th October. 2pm and 4pm. ly and not accidently wearing white socks. The fun is WHERE? Extension event taking GIAG into Halls, venues TBC in arriving with your collar done up tight, your lapels DETAILS: Using Jitsu Instructor Steven Bell perfectly ironed or your make-up applied to nuanced Daniel Craig pondered buying a ticket to the Freshers’ Ball UNION OFFERS / COMPETITIONS 20 Freshers’ Week 2008 [email protected] Introducing, the U-Cards... THIS TERM, the Union Society are introducing deals. As with all loyalty schemes, the greater your two new loyalty cards designed to give you better loyalty, the greater the rewards, so to help you make access and a massive savings over the year. a decision which (if either) of the U-Cards to buy this Imaginatively labelled the ‘U-Card’, it’s coming in week, The Courier investigates the benefi ts of both two separate colours entitiling you to two separate on your behalf...

U-Card Gold - £49 WHAT DOES IT GETS YOU? Room and Beats 2 (the additional rooms to the main dance fl oor) should Unite - for ‘free’ add up to make the Union’s fl agship weekly event one of the best Friday The U-Card Gold grants you what you night events in the Toon. might consider ‘elite’ membership Where the U-Card Gold comes in to your student’s union - the campus is that it puts you at the front of the equivalent of a masonic ring, skeleton queue each week and gets you in key, or just a genuine gold card - ‘free’, the reality of which being that U-Card Red - £4 the reserve of global CEOs and you’ve saved £44 overall should you WHAT DOES IT GETS YOU? As an example, Global Cafe (that’s the bit all the way celebrities. have intended to come to every Unite upstairs) will dish up their daily specials at a reduced Firstly, it’ll get you everything its in the year. 10% off, basically. rate of £3.37 (down from £3.75). That means sweet less prestigious red brother will (all of & sour chicken with basmati rice or Irish strew with which you can fi nd dissected on the VERDICT - freshers’ in particular With a U-Card Red, the cost of typical pint of draft creamy mash (there are three others, depending on left of this page). Not bad, but where will appreciate the unpretentious in the Men’s Bar shrinks to a paltry £1.70. The same which day it is) will fi ll your boots and leave you with does the other £45 go? and thrifty surrounding of Unite, as amount will also arm the sweet-toothed among you a healthy return on a fi ver. Equally, the Cochrane Enter Unite. will most second and third years, if with a jar of that ubiquitous mauve loony juice, Diesel. lounge (fi rst fl oor on the right) freshly prepared Unite is the new name for the Union’s their honest. Unless your tastes are Not bad for city centre prices. Speciality Deli Sandwiches will be yours for £2.25. once-legendary Friday club night too diverse or sensibilities too refi ned The only drawback is that the offer only stands on a For a one off investment of four quid then, you can’t which this summer has undergone a for cheesy anthems and cheerful bar Tuesday, Friday and Saturday, which means on most go far wrong. The savings may seem inconsequential, face lift of momentous proportions. prices, the U-Card Gold may well week days producing your U Card Red will result in but it won’t take many rounds or lunch breaks to start Formerly known as ‘Solution’, be worth the initial sting - plus you a similar reaction to producing a red card in a Premier making your money back. Unite is set to be an improvement can lord it over your mere-Red Card League football match - wide-eyed derision and a on previous years in every sense. carrying friends as you pass them baying chorus of slander. Possibly. VERDICT - worth clogging up your wallet with. New DJs, a new lighting set up and a standing in the freezing cold come The U-Card Red will also make your lunch cheaper. complete refurbishment of the Green winter. Win #1 - Guestlist tickets to The Streets! KICKING OFF the fi rst of our three-pronged album, multiple Brit and Ivor Novello awards). prize-athon is a chance to get on the guest list His last album The Hardest Way To Make An To enter the prize draw, email the correct answer to The Streets at the Carling Academy on Friday Easy Living - released in 2006 was perhaps the to the following questions to editor.union@ncl. 10th October. most action-packed thirty-seven minutes in the ac.uk: Six years ago The Streets’ Mercury Prize- history of pop – or rap, or rock and roll come to nominated debut album Original Pirate Material that – is nothing short of a voyage to the heart of (A) What was the name of Mike Skinner’s seem to emerge from nowhere and established Mike celebrity darkness. recently ‘deceased’ record label? Skinner as a witty and original MC-ing proposition Which brings us neatly to 2008 – The Streets – a motor-mouthed phoenix from the ashes of the fourth album is close to completion and to give us The winners will be drawn at random by the UK garage scene. a taste of what’s to come he has cheekily put up editorial team; there is no cash refund for the His follow up A Grand Don’t Come For Free, a samples of four new tracks on his myspace page prize. concept album, a hip-hopera, whatever you wanted (www.myspace.com/thestreets) Sounding like to call it, it took things to a completely different level classic Skinner in action it bodes well for the full (three million copies sold, a number one single and LP Win #2 - Mighty Boosh & McFly Tickets!

THE UNION Society and Freshers’ Week funny and plain surreal as it is on the tele. to [email protected]: 2008 have teamed up with The Metro Having voluntary left the major label Radio Arena to offer you two pairs of that launched them back in 2004, pop-rock (A) What does ‘The Cockney Hitcher’ tickets to two very special shows. act McFly are embarking on a bold new character wear over his eye in The Mighty The fi rst is a chance to see Noel Fielding chapter in their collective career. Boosh? and Julian Barratt - or rather their alter- With summer anthem ‘One For The Radio’ egos Vince Noir and Howard Moon - in demonstrating a new musical direction for (B) What was the name of McFly’s debut the stage version of their hilarious TV the band, this year’s national tour is one album released in April 2004? show, The Mighty Boosh on Thursday 27th not to miss. November 2008. They play Newcastle on Saturday 8th The winners will be drawn at random by Featuring cast favourites such as Naboo November 2008. the editorial team; there is no cash refund the Enigma, Bollo the Gorilla, The Cockney for either prize. Hitcher and - of course - the dim-witted To enter the draw for either, email the Moon, Boosh Live is every bit as magical correct answer to the following questions Win #3 - Newcastle Falcons Tickets! THERE ARE fi ve sets of four tickets up for pints of Guinness for you and your friends off the Newcastle ‘must-do’ list nice and early grabs to see the Newcastle Falcons take from the Men’s Bar at any time during this - and hopefully to see the local lads take the on London Irish at home on Sunday 16th Freshers’ Week. points on the day! November. You’ll be given a ticket. Simply scribble your To be in with a chance, buy a round of four name and email address on the back and at the The Men’s Bar is situtated in the Union C end of the week you might just fi nd yourself Society building, on your left at the top of M with multiple tickets to see Rugby World Cup the fi rst set of stairs. The Men’s Bar will be Winner Johnny Wilkinson’s team take on screening all major sporting events this year, Y southern rivals London Irish in the Gunniess so keep an eye out for info on our schedule. K Premiership. A trip to the Falcon’s stadium at Kingston Park in November will enable you to tick one

ACTIVITIES / MEDIA 22 Freshers’ Week 2008 [email protected] How joining a society can help you leave uni with more than just a degree... Your Activities Ofﬁ cer Immy Davies discusses the value of joining a society this year

UNIVERSITY should be more than life skills you will need for after just working on your course. Getting university, looks great on your CV UNION SOCIETIES A-Z: Eng Soc (English) Star (Student Action for involved in Societies at Newcastle and will give you that edge in an Erasmus Malaysian Refugees) can real add to your experience interview. This is especially true if Accountancy Management Stop Aids at Uni as well as making lifelong you’re a committee member such as Agricultural Mardi Gras Student Symphony friends and learning practical skills the president or treasurer. AIESC Felch Maths Orchestra for after graduation. Joining a society couldn’t be easier Anglo Japanese Fellwalking Mauritian Swing Dance At the union there are more than 120 with the clubs and Societies fayre Anime Film Mechanical Engineering Surgical societies, ranging from circus skills to on the 22nd and 23rd of September Archaeology Friends of Palestine Medsin Syrian dance and from chess to music - so we in the sports hall, or you could go Architectural Modern Languages have a little bit for every taste. online to www.unionsociety.co.uk Motor Sport Thai All the societies at Newcastle are set and just click on the clubs and society Geography Music Twenty Minute Club up and run by students for students registration on the right hand side. Bio Sci Gilbert & Sullivan so you really can make a difference Alternatively you can pop in and Biology Guinness & Real Ale Unicef in the events that are held, from pub see me, Immy Davies your activities Neighbours U8 International crawls to balls to charity events. offi cer in the fi rst fl oor of the union Catholic Heritage, Arts and Nukem (Chemistry) Development If there isn’t anything that catches (in the activities centre) and have a CEG (Civil Eng & Museums NUTS your eye it’s also easy to set up a new little chat about joining or setting up Geomatics) History Wet Soc (Marine Tech) society, all you need is a good idea a society. Chemical Engineering History and Politics Omani Wilderness Medics and the drive and determination to My email address is: activities. Chess Hitch Windband for fi ll it - you never know you may [email protected] and I am more Chinese Students & Hong Kong People & Planet Womens ended up with hundreds of people than happy to hear any new ideas or Scholars Pipeline Engineers & enjoying your ideas in your very own questions you have. CINI Indie Consultants Yoga newly set up society! Circus Skills International Pharmaology Being in a society gives you the Coming Soon Cocktail and Fancy Dress Iranian Photographic Zoology Combined Studies Irish Dance Poker * Many Societies will be having Computing & Information Islamic Politics events at the beginning of term so Systems Polish to UK New Societies Waiting to keep your ears and eyes open. Conservation Postgrad & Mature be Ratifi ed Conservative Future Jazz Orchestra Psychology * Union day on the 24th October Anime/Manga will be show casing many societies Questlands Asian including dance lessons! Dance Labour Capoeira Debating Latin and Ballroom Rock Historical Studies * The snow ball is back, we can Desi LGBT Society Rugby Referees Jewish confi rm that it will be on the 1st Drivers Liberal Democratics Marketing December and will have a Masquerade Libyan Saudi Postgraduate Business theme so get creating! Look out in The Economics Link Society (St. John Scout and Guide Pro Evo Courier for more information nearer Egyptian Ambulance) Shocksoc Symphonietta the time! Eldon (Law) Singapore Performance Arts ... and how writing in these pages can kick-start your career in the media The Editor of your student newspaper Sam Parker explains how and why to get involved IF YOU’RE looking for a career in the media, then we have even introduced a columnist page in section meetings to take place. Come along and the best possible head start might be right under which three writers take residency and give us volunteer to write the pieces that interest you, or your nose. their views on student life each week. with ideas of your own, and you can be in the fi rst For over sixty years, students have been learning The life-blood of The Courier and Pulp are these issue of the year. the basics of journalism by volunteering for The volunteers. Along with the staff writers who Not a bad start to your career in journalism. Courier – and for over sixty years, students have contribute articles and reviews on a weekly or been picking it up on campus and enjoying the occasional basis, there is a team of twenty section NSR results of that hard work each week. editors who support the overall editor, who is the This Freshers’ Week edition is only a only paid full-time member on the team. AND IT’S not only the student newspaper that representation of the paper’s usual output, with Responsible for attracting and engaging with new the Union has offer for students interested in the the average term time issue being over ten pages writers, editing their material and then reproducing media. longer and the entertainments pullout Pulp them every week on screen, the section editors Newcastle Student Radio (NSR) has been featuring its regular sections: art, entertainment, work hard alongside their university studies to providing Newcastle University students (and fi lm and music. make sure The Courier and Pulp looks at its best anyone else who tunes in!) with news, music and Together with every week. Their reward is to see over seventy reviews for ten years and can boast Russ Williams the traditional percent of students at Newcastle University read from Capital radio and quiz show host Debbie news, features and enjoy the pages they have produced when the King as famous alumni. and sport, these paper arrives every Monday morning. If radio takes your fancy you can get involved sections enable As a fi rst year student, now is the perfect time with anything from programming, presenting, students to try for you to get involved. producing or news. their hand at The fi rst thing you can do is come along to Broadcast online at www.nsronline.co.uk, NSR C every form of the introductory meeting on October 1st in the is run completely by students for students so get M journalism, from Basement 2, downstairs in the Union, at 12pm. involved! Y reporting and There you’ll get the chance to hear this year’s editor To sign up come along to the Clubs and Societies investigating to and rest of the team talk about The Courier and Fayre at the Sports Centre on 22nd and 23rd of K critical reviews Pulp and the individual sections in more details. September between10-5, or email the station and opinion They’ll take your name and email address, and manager on [email protected] pieces. This year get in touch with you when the time comes for the SPORT 23 Freshers’ Week 2008 [email protected] Another way to play: Intra Mural leagues

FOR THOSE of you looking for extensive in University sport with ﬁ nd one to suit why not start your sport on a slightly less demanding 5 sports on offer and over 2500 own! level there are Intra Mural teams participants. The full league and cup that play against each other within The programme is aimed at the programme is scheduled in all ﬁ ve Where? When? How? the University itself. recreational level, with teams sports and runs for the duration of The Newcastle Intra Mural made up from friendship groups, both semesters. programme is one of the most departments and halls, if you can’t If Intra Mural is for you, then here’s how you sign up... 5-a-side Football (Sports hall) - Thursday 12-1pm & 1-2pm; Friday 12-1pm & 1-2pm or 2-3pm - £25 per team per term - Starts 9th Oct 2008 - Starts 24th Jan 2009 7-a-side Football (Westgate Sports Centre) - Sunday 11-12pm & 1-2pm; Wednesday 2-3pm & 3-4pm - £35 per team per term - Starts 12th & 15th Oct 2008 - Starts 25th & 28th 2009 Mixed Hockey (Longbenton) - Sunday 9.30am-1.30pm - £35 per team - Starts 12th Oct 2008 Netball (Sports Hall) - Saturday 10am-12pm; Tuesday 12-2pm - £30 per team - Starts 11th& 14th October 2008 Womens Football - Thursday 2-4pm - £10 per team - Starts 9th Oct 2008 For information on 11-a-side Footaball and Rugby Union leagues contact the Recreation Service Manager, Denis Murphy at [email protected] or 0191 2225349 There are also one-off tournaments held throughout the year and Director’s Challenge matches whereby the ‘best of Intra Mural’ take on the University’s CHAMPIONS... Intral Mural football side celebrate their cup win representative sides! Gym timetable

IF A gym session or team sports aren’t your thing, how about trying an exercise class at the Sports Centre? There’s lot on offer, all taught by trained tutors, so get involved! The classes are designed to cater for all ability levels so it doesn’t matter if you think you’re a bit unﬁ t or don’t know what you’re doing. Just ask at the Sports Centre and they’ll point you in the right direction of what classes are best for your ﬁ tness level.

WEEKLY TIMETABLE

MONDAY 12.30-1.30pm – Spin Cycling 12-1pm – Pilates 5-6pm – Street Dance 5.30-6.30pm – Aerotone 6-7pm – Jazz & Hip Hop

TUESDAY 4.45-5.45pm – Street Dance 5.30-6.30pm – Toning Circuits 7-8pm – Spin Cycling

WEDNESDAY 7.30-8.15am – Spin Cycling 12.15-1pm – Aerotone 1.30-3pm – Yoga (hatha) 5-6pm – Aerobics 6-7pm – Spin Cycling

Team Newcastle THURSDAY WELCOME TO Newcastle, offi cially (British Universities and Colleges is the varsity clash with staunch one of the top ten universities for Sport – formerly BUSA) The national local rivals Northumbria University. 12-1pm – Boot Camp sport in the country. governing body for student sport. It The Stan Calvert Cup sees over 1000 5.30-6.30pm – All in I’m Jimmy Greene your Athletic organises all of the inter-university athletes in 40 teams from 17 different Union Offi cer who co-ordinates your competitions, which generally take sports compete across the city during sporting opportunities. place every Wednesday afternoon. one action packed day of sporting FRIDAY We’ve an exciting year ahead of us as The Athletic Union’s biggest strength euphoria. This year Newcastle are the we aim to push higher up the rankings. is the fact that it is student led. This returning champions and looking to 12-1pm – Power Yoga We have now established ourselves allows students the opportunity to not extend their rightful reign! within the top ten and its time to really only get involved in, but feel ownership The best way to get involved in sport make Team Newcastle a name to be of the mechanisms and driving factors is to get along to the Sports Fayre SATURDAY reckoned with. that push the Athletic Union onwards (Monday and Tuesday of Fresher’s Newcastle has always taken pride in and upwards. Week) in the Sports Centre. The more 10am-11am – Squash Beginners its level of both sporting participation I am sure that with the continued competitive teams hold trials during 11am-12pm – Squash Improvers and performance, offering support to a positive working relationship, and fresher’s week so it is best to sign up multitude of sporting clubs. We believe backing of the sports centre, Team at the Fayre. However the Activities that we offer everything in terms of Newcastle will continue to raise our Centre in the Union can always get SUNDAY provisions and support to our sporting standards even higher this year. you in touch with clubs at any point students at every level. The highlight of the sporting calendar during the year. 2-3pm – Spin Cycling Jimmy Greene... your AU Offi cer The AU works alongside BUCS The changing face of University sport

THE RECENT Beijing come through the University With National sporting the winners of the other Olympics have shown just system. Team GB itself was success and progression at divisions into the national how vital University sport made up of 311 athletes, the fore front of everyone’s playoffs. This meant for a is to national success. 180 (58%) of which had mind, the well known large proportion of teams Of the record medal haul, come through the university and much loved BUSA the season could come to an 55% of the 47 medals were system. (British Universities Sports abrupt end after Christmas. won by athletes that had Association) has evolved. The new BUCS format sees It has been renamed BUCS all teams below premier and Medal Amount won Of which students (British University and ﬁ rst division compete every Colleges Sport) and has third week in an “FA-Cup” Gold 19 12 incorporated all aspects of style knockout competition. sport in Higher Education. To accommodate this new C Silver 13 7 The re-birth has also seen format the season has been some exciting new changes extended up to Easter M Y Bronze 12 7 to the playing structure. regardless of progression In BUSA, teams competed in the Knockouts, meaning K up to January, before the that now sport will continue Statistics showing the contribution of Higher Education students to teams in the premier and at all levels throughout both The new face of Uni Sport... ‘BUCS’ (British Universities Sports Association) Team GB’s success at the Heijing Olympics last month ﬁ rst divisions went on with terms.