gair rhydd Monday May 5th 2014 | freeword | est.1972 | Issue 1028 Full Varsity coverage Pages 24-36 >> Solus redevelopment underway page 5 Students’ Union wins Green Impact award page 6 No Chance-llor! Swansea Griff Rhys Jones pulls out of becoming suspend their \ President page 6 former professor at the University, had During the Court meeting, Professor Katie Evans the members of University Court given Ron Eccles implied that the University News Writer it their approval. Instead, in a confronta- had mislead members of Council by not Cardiff gets £34 million University Court blocked the appoint- tional and highly critical meeting, those stating Sir Martin’s eligibility and will- investment for cancer research ment of Griff Rhys Jones as the next present refused to authorise the appoint- ingness to serve a second term, as had page 16 Cardiff Chancellor, branding the process ment, in part due to the way University been done for the position of Pro-Chan- of selecting him a “disgrace.” Council were not given the option of of- cellor and its incumbent, Sir Donald Wal- Following the controversy resulting fering Sir Martin Evans a second term. ters. from the Court meeting, the Cardiff-born Professor James Whitely, a member When the Vice-Chancellor sought ap- comedian has written to the Vice-Chan- of the University’s two highest deci- proval from Court for the appointment, cellor, to withdraw himself from further sion making bodies, the Council and the Professor Eccles repeated that the way in consideration for the role. Court, told the members present that which Sir Martin Evans had been treated Griff Rhys Jones was put forward as he was not made aware of Sir Martin’s was “a disgrace.” The Vice-Chancellor re- the candidate for the Chancellorship by eligibility for another term. He there- plied by saying, “I’m not disputing that,” University Council but needed final ap- fore supported the motion to return the but that he wanted to move forward. proval to be granted by University Court. matter to Council, citing his belief that He would have replaced Sir Martin Ev- other Council members were most likely ans; a Nobel prize-winning scientist and unaware as well. Continued on page 4 >> 2 VARSITY IN PICTURES Photographs by Taliesin Coombes Monday May 5th 2014 | @mediacsu A note from the editor 3 nd like that, the Eas- someone’s bibliography, where this paper has ever produced. ever mentioned it. EDITOR ter holiday is over. It they’d referenced a story I wrote There are several people that are There is also a week of Union Tom Eden went quickly, didn’t in gair rhydd. There was a fleeting hugely deserving of praise for mak- awards; with the ESLAs, Society it? And for most of moment of pride which was quickly ing this possible. Most obviously is Ball, AU Ball and the Media Awards CO-ORDINATOR you, I can’t imag- replaced with panic; I hope I don’t the team of sport editors. Dave Hoo- - the latter being the most presti- A Elaine Morgan ine it was much of cause whoever it was to fail... son put in a vast number of hours, gious, obviously. a break, with deadlines and exams Although the Easter break has as have Ross and Arthur, despite a Rather unusually, for both my- looming. flown by, so much has happened daunting final year workload. self and gair rhydd, there are some SUB EDITOR I have no doubt that, despite the since we last went to print. It’s at Another massive thank you must things already planned for the fol- Jacob Dirnhuber ever-nearing deadlines, you’ve man- times like this where I realise how go to Taliesin Coombes, who took lowing issue. aged to find hundreds of things fortunate we are to be one of the over 10,000 photos during the day, Excitingly, we have an interview NEWS more worthy of your time than the only weekly student publications so many of which have gone into this with Labour leader Ed Miliband, Ashley Bebbington small matter of essays. that we can report on all that we do. issue. which will be great, especially in Max Eshraghi I remember back to my first For example, the front page I’m sure you’ll agree that the re- the build up to the European elec- Georgia Hamer year, where the Easter period was story about the farcical attempt at sults are spectacular and that the tions. If you can’t wait until then Rowan Whittington a solid stretch of beautiful weather. appointing a new Chancellor hap- 11 pages of coverage pays a worthy for a political fix, then read Gareth I realise that it’s currently hard pened right at the start of the break. tribute to all those involved in the Evans’ column on page 13. It is one to imagine what that feels like; It was picked up by the national year’s sporting showcase. of the best pieces I have ever read in OPINION the dodgy pavements of Cathays media - it is a huge story - but we Another showcase that happened gair rhydd; I highly recommend it! Olivier van den Bent-Kelly splashing water up the back of my have been able to reveal a great deal since we last made a paper was Thank you for reading. I hope Gareth Evans legs every morning a constant re- more, exclusive details. the National Student Television you have a great week. Beth Lyons minder that it’s still not summer. It’s a hugely embarrassing saga Awards. A large group of us at- What that spell of glorious for the University, and I can’t help tended the event at Loughborough COLUMNIST weather meant, was that we had but agree with one member of Uni- University and - excluding the fact Gareth Evans barbecues day after day and that I versity Court who branded the man- I had that awful “L-S, L-S, L-S-U” then had to churn out three essays ner in which it has been handled as song stuck in my head, it was a POLITICS in a day. a disgrace. great weekend. I can’t say I regret it - I think that It certainly isn’t Griff Rhys CUTV’s incredible achieve- Matt Harding was the last time the sun came out Jones’ fault, nor is the incumbent, ments this year were recognised in Wales - but I hope you’re not in a Sir Martin Evans to blame. The as they won the highly commended SCIENCE similar position. University has, quite rightly apolo- Tim Marshall Special Recognition Scott Davies Remember, the box sets and se- gised, and I hope it comes to a suit- award, so congratulations to them. David Mason ries you’ve always wanted to watch able resolution when University Looking ahead to the near future, can wait until summer, as tempting Council come to select another can- a group of gair rhydd & Quench SPORT as it is to choose Malcom Tucker/ didate. If no one else is keen, I sup- editors are also heading to a confer- David Hooson Walter White/Doctor Who ahead of pose I could do it. ence and awards. Both publications Ross Martinovic your dissertation. This issue is the first since Var- are in contention for awards, so if TOM EDEN Arthur Russell On the topic of dissertations, I sity and is therefore crammed with we are successful, you will hear all was recently shown a picture of the most comprehensive coverage about it. If we’re not, then forget I EDITOR VARSITY PHOTOGRAPHER Taliesin Coombes CONTRIBUTORS Rory Benson Katie Evans get involved Sarah Lee James Griffiths here's still time to write James Smith for gair rhydd before the Monday 5th May Babatunde Valentine end of the year. We have Onabajo 5pm Anuerin Bevan (Room 4J) Elouise Hobbs three contributor meetings Matthew Hale Tleft, where any student Rebecca Smith can turn up and volunteer Harry Thompson to write stories and articles or pitch Monday 12th May Joe Paley their own ideas. Jon Chapman Shanna Hamilton The meetings, for the rest of the 5pm Anuerin Bevan (Room 4J) Robert Barraclough year, will be held in the Aneurin Bevan Lisa Childs Tim Fulford Union from 5pm. Tom Bamford If you're fed up with revision and Monday 19th May James Thompson fancy a break, or are free from work, Prashanth Veeranki 5pm Anuerin Bevan (Room 4J) Stew Hume Write: then come along! Dave Riley e are currently University students. Alex Miarli recruiting for some It's one of the best student papers Dom Booth Eliza Nicholas editor positions for in the country, and that's down to the Steffan Thomas next year. If you incredible effort of all our volunteers. James Ayles are interested in Being involved is undoubtedly one Joe Atkinson W Lauren Davies helping to choose of the best experiences you can have what we publish, editing stories and during your time at uni. Emma Carragher designing the paper, then we would We welcome everyone to be love for you to apply. involved, whatever your course, age For over 40 years and well over or experience. 1000 issues, gair rhydd has been For more information, please head the eyes, ears and voice of Cardiff to CardiffStudentMedia.co.uk/apply Edit: # ##" ## WOULD LIKE TO WRITE THIS PUBLIC APOLOGY TO DANIEL PALMER’S PARENTS FOR SQUANDERING THEIR SON’S PRECIOUS TIME DURING AN 8-0 A PROUD PART OF DRUBBING IN A GAME OF TABLE FOOTBALL. HE SHOWED ME HOW THE BEAUTIFUL GAME SHOULD BE PLAYED AND FOR THAT I AM VERY GRATEFUL.