The Returning Game of Eurovision Pullout Thrones Who should you be looking out for? Find out more in the middle Series catch-up 24-5 pages “Keep the Cat Free” 02/05/14 Issue 1574 felixonline.co.uk Government Union Club Election Scandal plans to cut Disabled CSSA in hot water over problematic election practices – new election pending Students Allowance Joe Letts Editor-In-Chief he Government recently announced changes to the Disabled Students’ Allowance, expected to take place in 2016-17. TThe changes, which according to Universities and Sciences Minister David Willetts are set to modernise the system, will see a reduction in the amount of financial support the government is set to provide students, instead placing a larger proportion of responsibility on their universities. As part of the changes to the system, Willetts proposed that the government would only pay for “higher specification” or “higher cost” computers when needed by a student “solely by virtue of their disability”, ceasing support for students requiring regular computers, as well as help BIRMINGHAMMAIL.CO.UK with warranty or insurance costs. 3 and the Deputy President: Finance and the subsequent responses from Club to have a major election Additionally, while the government Stephen Ball and Services will be acting as the the Union. In the event description complaint this year, it raises questions will continue to support “the most Copy Chief Returning Officer. students are called on to join the as the how well Club elections are specialist Non-Medical Help”, they will The list of reasons why the election CSSA to “prevent the second ballot actually being run. It is widely known also encourage universities to change needs to be re-run (as stated by the from being controlled by the current that many clubs struggle to get the way their courses are structured he Chinese Students and Union President) are that: committee members and pave way the attendance necessary for their and delivered with the aim of reducing Scholars Association a) Publicity and voting cards were for a truly clean and fair election.” Annual General Meeting to be valid the “need for support workers” while (CSSA) has joined the in Chinese Criticisms of the facebook event have - the Union rules say 50%+1 of the encouraging “greater independence Christian Union in having a b) Individuals who were not full been raised based on its potentially Club’s membership must be present. and autonomy for their students”. major election dispute this members of the Club were allowed slanderous comments about a large This year saw a number of Clubs Willetts also announced that in Tyear after a number of its members to vote number of the members of the CSSA run their elections using the Union’s the future the government would no wrote a joint letter of complaint to c) The election was not run under and the fact that comments which voting website as part of the Big longer support additional costs of the Imperial College Union reporting the Single Transferable Vote or give opinions differing to the of the Elections rather than at a Club specialist accommodation, other than that ballot papers were destroyed and Alternative Vote (as appropriate) creator having been deleted. meeting so are we seeing the rise of in exceptional circumstances. that the current committee holds a d) Objections to the results were For many Clubs elections are low the new voting system for Clubs? The cuts are expected to reduce the weighted vote allowing them to chose ignored key matters and often candidates run When asked whether the Union has quality of university education for the new committee. David Goldsmith, without opposition (save re-open any plans to change the election many students with disabilities due Union President, has declared A facebook event has been set up nominations if clubs are following the procedures, the Union President to the reduced support, and is being the original election invalid citing by the user “Ordinary Person” called: Union Bye-laws properly). However replied: heavily opposed by the NUS. multiple violations of the Union’s Bye- The Corrupted ICL Society Of CSSA they are an important part of a Club’s “We constantly review the support If you would like to petition against laws for Minor Elections. and how you can help which has a governance and in ensuring that we give to all Club, Society and the proposals, visit http://epetitions. The new election will take place partially redacted copy of the original members get their voices heard. Project processes and will consider direct.gov.uk/petitions/63748 on May 2nd 17:00 in Meeting Room letter of complaint sent to the Union With the CSSA being the second recent events in any future reviews.” 2 FRIDAY 02 MAY EDITOR’S PICKS GAMES 26 WELLBEING 4 FILM 10-14 Breaking into Final What does happen Catch up with all Fantasy XIV with when you know the films you missed Michael Barclay. somebody suffering over the easter break, from depression? because you were definitely revising weren’t you? LOLCAT OF TEH WEEK: More from teh Lolcat editor May’s Housing Mayhem Housing Fair don’t miss our other events Contract and General Queen’s Lawn Marquee Tuesday 06 May Housing Advice 12.00 - 15.00 in halls throughout May 17.30 to 19.00 Get a headstart in your search for private housing Find a Flatmate Meet estate agents, private landlords and other service providers Thursday 29 May Speak to the Student Hub team for help 17.30 to 19.30 and advice Southside Social Space for more information visit www.imperial.ac.uk/accommodation/mayhousingmayhem Felix, Beit Quad, Prince Consort Road, London SW7 2BB. Email: [email protected]. Tel: 020 7594 8072. Fax: 020 7594 8065. THIS BROUGHT Printed by Iliffe Print Cambridge, Winship Road, Cambridge. Registered newspaper ISSN 1040-0711. Copyright © Felix 2014. WEEK WASTO YOUBY EDITORIAL TEAM: Editor-in-Chief Joe Letts, Deputy Editor Tessa Devey News Editors Nida Mahmud, Aamna Mohdin, Maciej Matuszewski, Kunal Wagle Features Editor Shiladitya Ghosh Wellbeing Editor Marissa Lewis Science Editors Philippa Skett, Keir Little, Fiona Hartley Politics Editor Kartikeya Rana, Jash Rughani Food Editors Carol Ann Cheah, Michael Chung Comment Editors Eoghan J. Totten, Tessa Davey Arts Editor Arianna Sorba Fashion Editor Cécile Borkhataria Books Editors Maciej Matuszewski, Eva Rosenthal Music Editors Simon Hunter, Riaz Agahi, Stuart Masson Television Editors John Park, Emily Fulham Film Editor John Park Games Editors Maximilian Eggl, Calum Skene Technology Editors Maximilian Eggl, Yong Wen Chua, Osama Arawa, Clubs & Socs Editor Nida Mahmud Charity Editor Ben Fernando Travel Editor Chris Richardson Sports Editor Kunal Wagle Online Editors Philip Kent, Annina Sartor, Stephen Ball Puzzles Commanders Kingshuk Dasadhikari, Oliver Price Copycats Stephen Ball and Annina Sartor Copykittens Mattin Mir-Tahmasebi FRIDAY 02 MAY 3 Editors: Nida Mahmud, Maciej Matuszewski, Aamna Mohdin, Aemun NEWS Reza, Kunal Wagle NEWS FROM OVER EASTER Evelyn Gardens Set Travel Chaos – Strikes Again! Scientists Discover To Close in 2015 Dwarf Planet According to anonymous sources, the entire network of halls in Evelyn Gardens (providing accommodation Joe Letts Editor-In-Chief for a total of 613 students), is set to close in 2015, with student accommodation spaces being transferred to the The newly discovered dwarfaccommodation in Acton that is planet 2012 VP113 was discovered under current development. by astronomers at the Carnegie The fate of the accommodation in Institution of Science, Washington in South Kensington seems unclear, April. with some of those involved believing With a diameter of 450km it is the that the halls will be refurbished, and smallest celestial body to lay claim opened again for use, while others to the title of the most distant planet believe that due to the short number in the solar system, usurping dwarf of years left on the Evelyn Gardens planet Sedna (2003). Precisely, while lease (less than 30 years), College will Sedna is the body in the solar system deem the investment (rumored to be that travels furthest from the Sun, between £10-60 million unviable and with an orbit ranging from 76-937 will permanently relocate the hall AU, 2012 VP113's minimum distance spaces to the halls in Acton. URBANSTIMES.CO from the Sun is 80AU, and so qualifies allegedly a drain on resources that is the strike ‘pointless’ and ‘farcical’, as the most distant solar system object A College Spokesperson provided Ben Fernando used on fewer than 3% of journeys). both David Cameron and Ed Miliband when ranked by minimum distance. the following statement: Charities Editor Under this agreement, there would have stepped in, with the Labour Nicknamed ‘VP’, the discovery of “Imperial commits to provide all first have been no compulsory job losses Party leader saying that it was ‘wrong the dwarf planet proves the existence year students with a place in a hall of – but the RMT leadership refused for the strike to go ahead whilst of the inner Oort cloud, a doughnut- residence and aims to offer a broad ondon was plunged into to accept this and balloted their negotiations were still taking place’. shaped region in the spherical outer range of room types and rents. To do travel chaos again this members on calling a strike. Despite London Underground’s Managing Oort cloud. The Oort cloud is a region so the College continually reviews its week: another tube strike only around 30% of the RMT’s London Director Mike Brown offered the of icy bodies that exists far outside accommodation portfolio to ensure it left commuters stranded Underground Chapter members chance for a review of the decisions Neptune’s orbit. meets current and future needs.