Felix Issue 0953, 1993
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Sf The Student Newspaper of Imperial College 1 JJ JJ 1 ilIssu e 962 12 March 1993 Elections Knocked Queen's T Splat Apathy is as prominent as ever at many seemed to agree on the vast Imperial College according to a majority of issues. mini survey carried out by Felix There was a little confusion with during this week's sabbatical the voting system with a significant elections, with the elections as a number being marked with a cross whole coming in for a great deal of or tick, instead of the numbers as criticism. was clearly marked on the ballot Although 54% of voters were paper. aware of the elections taking place In reply to this comment Mr and what they were for only 30% Dominic Wilkinson, the current of those surveyed had bothered to Hon Sec (events), made a detailed vote. The final result of New reply: Election for the Hon Sec post, was "If the electorate could not spare echoed in the survey, with students a few minutes to vote then they have being unsure what the post actually little right to complain about the did. A large compliant from those quality of the incoming sabbaticals. surveyed was the feeling that the The opportunity to vote was given elections were irrelevant to the vast with New Election being the option majority of people. This was for those dissatisfied with the demonstrated in the low turn out suitability of the candidates. At the during the poll when 23 % of those end of the day the well worn phrase eligible voted. One particular voter 'You get what you deserve' rings based in Silwood Park, said that true. everyone there had voted for New I am concerned that some think Election, as no candidate had that the Union bears little relevance considered them. to their lives. Unbeknown to them, Many complained about the the work that the Union does will The large 'splat' put on the Queens Tower last week in support of today's candidates, saying that there was no touch every aspect of their time at comic relief day. The 'Splat' was paid for by charity donations by West clear choice. Although campaigns Imperial. This is an attitude that we London Chaplaincy, and will be lit up tonight. were better than last year, but were are acutely aware of and through obviously marred with dirty tricks. our increased communication with Posters appeared just to say vote for students, via, for example, the a candidate with manifestos and reaching out stalls and focus Resignation Call leaflets being very short on real groups, we can alter this perception by Andrew Tseng ICU. policy. Many voters had real to one that more accurately reflects Relations between Imperial College When interviewed by Felix, Mr difficulty working out actual the work that the Union does for Union (ICU) and St Mary's Wilkinson said that he would be differences between candidates as students.' Hospital Medical School Students replying to the letter privately and Union (SMHMS SU) have taken a would not make any further turn for the worse this week comment. Questioned by Jonty Door Damage following a letter published in this Beavan, the editor of Felix, Mr Wednesday saw severe damage to Stewards on the scene said it was issue. Wilkinson elicited a response of, the toilets in the Union Building possible that the damage had started The letter by Ex-SMHMS SU 'oh go away you tedious editor'. opposite Da Vinci's during the accidentally and individuals passing Presidents, Simon Stockill and When asked if the rest of ICU 'Libido' disco night. through the toilets had added to the Simon Smith, demands the Exec would condemn Mr A wall inside the Men's damage as the evening progressed. resignation of Dominic Wilkinson, Wilkinson, Chris Davidson, ICU lavatories was smashed leaving a Speaking to Felix yesterday, Honorary Secretary (Events). Mr President, said that it was 'not the large hole. Who actually was Chris Davidson, ICU President, Stockill and Mr Smith also demand usual thing that it seeks to do'. He responsible for the damage is said that the matter had been that the rest of the ICU Exec added, given that Mr Stockill and unclear, but it is believed that a reported to the Police. He added distance themselves from Mr Mr Smith were not present at he large number of students who had that if any of those responsible were Wilkinson. The alternative that the hustings, that 'it would probably be been drinking in the Da Vinci's bar identified, criminal charges would letter cites is the complete different if were there'. may have had a role. Union be brought. separation of SMHMS SU from 3/4/5/6 8 9 11 Letters Alternative ULU Malcolm Extravaganza Manifestos Hope X N ews 12 March 1993 Felix 962 Jobs Holocaust Food Fight! by Declan Curry the University was breaking the The University of London has been law, and said that the cleaners were accused of starting a 'jobs holocaust being offered severance terms across colleges and institutes' by 'twice as good as the statutory London trade unions. Tom Snow, requirement.' NUPE claims that London area officer for the National some staff are only being offered 12 Union of Public Employees weeks pay if they leave work (NUPE), says that plans by the immediately. The University says University to make 98 cleaners the redundancies will save 47% of redundant are a breach of the cleaning budget. The cleaners, University employment protection who work in 6 of the 8 regulations. Mr Snow says that the intercollegiate Halls of Residences, University plans to save money will are to be served with notices of 'exploit the poverty trap of the dismissal on 19th March. In past private cleaning market in London.' redundancy cases, redundancy Peter Howell, a principal of one orders were served with 90 days of the University colleges, denied notice. Deans Change by Andrew Tseng The new Dean of the Royal The two largest constituent colleges College of Science will be Professor will have new Deans come the next John Pendry, from the Department academic year. of Physics. He replaces Professor Professor Bruce Sayers will step Trevor Stuart and has been elected Mary's students join in their annual food fight at Charing Cross Hospital. down as the Dean of the City and to hold the position from 1 Some years the fire brigade have been called to clear up the mess. Guilds College at the end of September to 31 August 1996. September. He makes way for The Deans of St Mary's and the Professor Julia Higgins, currently Royal School of Mines, the College's Senior Tutor, who respectively Professor Peter C&G Hustings will hold the position from October Richards and Professor Tim Shaw, by Andrew Tseng member of this year's C&GCU 1 to 31 August 1994. continue in their current post. The first ever City and Guilds Exec standing. College Union (C&GCU) hustings The most closely contested post occurred on Tuesday. looks set to be that of Ents Chair. IC Virtuoso Very few new policies or ideas Tim Atkinson, who last year was were brought forward. Standing for defeated in the election for the post by Declan Curry 'Nocturnes', and Stravinsky's 'Rite the post of President, Paul Griffith of Honorary Junior Treasurer, A 17 year old violinist will take of Spring'. Miss Jeal, a pupil at proposed a City and Guilds Sports stands against Subhashis centre stage tonight for the spring local Westminster School, has Day. And in a year that has seen the Chowdhury. Mr Chowdhury has conceit from Imperial College played in several major venues in Constituent College Unions lose promised an increase in the number Orchestra. Lucy Jeal, studying in London, including the Royal their student appeal, Joe Baguley, of joint events with other the Royal College of Music, will Festival Hall and the Queen standing for Vice President, called Universities. play solo violin in Tchaikovsky's Elizabeth Hall. The concert will be for C&GCU to increase its profile. New Election will be standing for 'Violin Concerto'. The concert, conducted by Imperial's Richard Of those posts available only the all posts. Voting will take place in which begins in the Great Hall at Dickens. post of the City and Guilds College C&G Department Foyers on 15th 8pm, will also include Debussy's Association Representative sees a and 16th March from 12-2pm. Counselling Call by Declan Curry almost certainly true that students Silwood Outreach Schools and colleges have been stay in the university system due to ordered to pay more attention to counselling support through by Declan Curry that students at Silwood were student counselling. Tim Bos well, difficult periods,' he said. Legal, Imperial College Union (ICU) held disappointed that they did not the Higher Education Minister, said debt, financial and immigration another 'outreach' stall on qualify for the 'London weighting' that high drop out rates in further advice is provided by Stef Ruis, Wednesday of this week. Members for local authority maintenance education were due to insufficient Imperial College Union Advisor. of ICU staff travelled to Silwood grants, and also had problems with attention being paid to students and Mr Ruis can be contacted on Park at Ascot to meet students and catering and accommodation. Mr their progress. Mr Bos well added internal extension 3507, and is raise awareness of the Union. Chris Davidson added that he would be that counselling may be one of the available between Monday and Davidson, ICU President, said that looking at grant levels and the levels new performance indicators for Thursday, except for Wednesday the event was a 'very successful of food pricing at Silwood.