t h e u n i v e r s i t y o f s u r r e y s t u d e n t s ’ m a g a z i n e bf publications issue one 7xh.may 2004 inside 7 xh . : plus: 7xh. what do UniS really do with your money? 7xh. nus conference: the truth 7xh. puzzles for those empty post-exam days 7xh. colours ball winners 7xh. quantum physics for the perplexed 7xh. the ussu year in pictures i n g l o r i o u s t e c h n i c o l o u r t h r o u g h o u t 7xh. The University of Surrey Students’ Magazine | May 2004 7xh contents C ontents page four: The truth about the NUS Conference 2004. page six: A year in the life of GU2 Radio... page eight: Do smarties really have the answer? page ten: What do the University actually use our money for? page twelve: Thoughts from the Passion of Christ. page thirteen: Quantum Physics for the Perplexed... page fourteen: It’s the time of year for... Summer Blockbusters! page sixteen: All the fun of the world of film. page eighteen: The music team are back with loads of reviews. page twenty: Gigs, gigs and more gigs... page twentytwo: The V adventure of the naked pond. page twentyfour: Something to fill the empty post-exam days! page twentysix: The USSU year 2003-4 in pictures. page twentyseven: Sun and snow? It’s the Ski Club Easter trip. page twentyeight: The glitz and glamour of Colours Ball 2004. page twentynine: The teamsurrey review of the year. page two The University of Surrey Students’ Magazine | May 2004 7xh. editorial Editorial Welcome to the first bf publications magazine to be produced in nigh on three years. After 21 issues worth of hard graft The 7 xh T eam on barefacts over the academic year, we’ve decided that it is time for a change, and here is that change. 7xh is more than just an A4 Editor: Sarah Butterworth shiny version of barefacts - it is a chance to break away from the traditional format and Assistant Editor: Ben Berryman sections of the paper and try something new. In this magazine you will find more in depth Music Editors: articles and features, a look back over the Jon Allen past year at USSU and old favourites such as Matt Badcock the Interactive page to wile away those stress- free post-exam days. Editors & Contributors: Hasan Akil This short term has been a busy one for Andy Blair USSU Media, and with the launch of the new Neil Boulton website, it’s been a challenge to get 7xh Tom Brinsley completed and on time, but it’s here at last. Melody Carter Huge thanks go out to all the contributors, Neil Christie who have all been slaving away over their Corin Douieb articles whilst revising for exams, particularly Dom Fernando those in their final year. Matt Fisher Nathan Jones As ever, it has been a labour of love, and the Carol Main last publication to be produced by the current Craig Martin dedicated bf team. So a huge thank you and Jeremy Muscat well done to every single person who has Pete Nichols been involved in any aspect of USSU Media Louise O’Neill this year; hopefully those of you around in the Chris Ward coming years will stay involved, and good luck Jen Walker to everyone moving onto bigger and better Nathan Whittaker things. Pete Wigfield Good luck to everyone for the dreaded exam Proofread by results, have an enjoyable and safe summer, Sarah Taylor and happy reading. Photography by Over and out, for the final time... Chris Hunter Sarah Butterworth Designed by 7xh Editor Sarah Butterworth Vice President Communications 2003-4 page three 7xh. The University of Surrey Students’ Magazine | May 2004 nus conference The truth about the by Neil Christie NUS Conference 2004 As part of my manifesto prior to the elections last on from the example, it may read: ‘1. The Vice President semester I pledged to report back on NUS Conference Education must compile a list of all the MPs and provide and try and be as informative about NUS as possible. constituent members with them in order to contact local This article is, unfortunately, just that. If you’re interested MPs regarding top-up fees. in NUS and how it works, then please read on – however The process that motions go through in order to get to if you’re not all that bothered, I suggest these pages may Conference is a long one. Firstly, all constituent members well suffice as rectum cleansers at a later date. I did want of NUS are invited to send in motions. So, for instance, to write more, but there’s simply not room – if there’s a Surrey could send in a motion about higher education call for a more thorough explanation then a new page on funding. These all go to a process called ‘compositing’. the website (ussu.co.uk) may be the best way to get more At compositing, representatives from constituent members information, or check out nusonline.co.uk (i.e. students at Students’ Unions belonging to NUS) NUS Conference is essentially the annual meeting for then bring similar motions together and agree on the elected delegates, or representatives, from Students’ wording of them. As not everyone agrees with the initial Unions around the country that are affiliated (i.e. motion, and because of word limits, Amendments to ‘constituent members’) to NUS. It is the sole, highly motions are also added in. These come in two forms democratic, decision-making process for NUS. It is also – ‘Add’ amendments, and ‘delete’ amendments. ‘Add’ a complete ‘bunch of arse’ – so delicately put by most of amendments (wait for this) add text to the main motion, the Surrey delegates that attended. Despite its very many and delete amendments delete text from the main motion. flaws, I found it an enjoyable and entertaining experience, So at compositing all this gets decided. The motions and but I think it’s an acquired interest – much like foot amendments are then grouped into headings – usually fetishes, although slightly less weird. things like ‘Education’, ‘Education funding’, ‘Welfare’, and Conference itself is where ‘motions’ are discussed. A ‘NUS Reform’. These motions are also prioritised – so motion was usually made up three parts – “Conference Education may be heard first, followed by Welfare etc. believes”, “Conference further believes”, and “Conference This is decided on by the number of constituent members resolves”. In “Conference believes” it has all the idealistic that sent the text in, and the Steering Committee (explained things that the motion relates to. For instance, on a later) have quite a bit to do with it. So what essentially motion about Education, it may have: ‘3. Education is happens is this: 1. Students’ Union sends in text to NUS. 2. a right, not a privilege.’ This would be referred to as At compositing, different Students’ Unions realise they want “Conference believes part three”. Simple. The same goes to say the same thing. 3. In order to get their thing heard for “Conference further believes”, and I believe it’s not first, they all put their name to a motion, or amendment, all under one section because of word limits on sections that says what they want it to say. 4. Of those that put their within motions. “Conference resolves” then holds the names to the motion, some are given ‘Speakers Rights’ at actions to be taken if the motion is passed. Following Conference and get to speak on the motion or amendment – either for or against it. Amendments are also prioritised within motions, so some amendments will be heard before others. Confusing? You bet it is. Complete arse? Oh yes. So the end result is a “Motions Document” that is around 100 pages long, full of things put together by Students’ Unions across the country with similar ideas. That all sounds fine and dandy, and very democratic. Then you read what the motions actually have in them, and then see the process in action. Oh dear, what a disaster. Firstly, a bit of explanation about Conference. It’s held in Blackpool, at the Winter Gardens. Conference is made up of delegates (on Conference floor) and various NUS elected representatives, including: • The full time National Executive Committee (NEC) • The part-time members of the ‘Block of 12’ page four The University of Surrey Students’ Magazine | May 2004 7xh. nus conference these elected representatives sit at the front of Conference, down is labelled “Filibustering”. So that’s the first at a big table on a raised platform, facing Conference problem – too many people simply not wanting to put floor. NUS Staff (non students) sit in the gallery trying motions through, and the whole process is so slow. By to look un-opinionated and unbiased. Spectators also the time someone has put in a procedural motion to sit in the gallery. In front of the raised platform at the vote on the amendment or motion and not hear more front, there is a “Steering Committee” that speeches, this has been voted on to hear are essentially responsible for running the person speak, and then another vote Conference. They organise the order is called on whether or not the procedural of things, and advise the Chair (who motion should be passed, the whole was usually the National Secretary) on motion could have been heard anyway. various matters.