Bangor University Students’ Union May 2014 English Language Issue No. 239 Newspaper FREE @SerenBangor Seren.Bangor.ac.uk - SOCIETY OF THE YEAR 2013 - BUSINESS AWARDS RESULTS WIN A SUMMER BALL TICKET COMIC CON WALES 4 Students in a flutter Pigeons interrupt exams causing resit concerns by LJ TAYLOR he School of Law was last week forced to apologise to and re- schedule the exams of hun- Tdreds of students. This comes after two law exams had to be abandoned forty minutes in, due to the noise being created by two pi- geons. “They were on top of the organs in the back of the room and would not just shut up. I guess a few people complained and then they ended the exam” said Kyle Gauvin, an Exchange Student from the University of Maine, who was there for the International Law of Human Rights exam. It is believed that the pigeons got into PJ Hall through two missing win- dow panes. “Knowing that I am leaving tomor- row morning and am not sure or even if I will be able to sit the exam makes it worse. It would make sense to try and stay for the exam, but not at the cost of making completely new arrangements for flights and trains for tomorrow. Hopefully there will be some way that I can take it when I get back state side, there have been some rumours that “Knowing the fact that the univer- Varun stated. to being in different locations, such as but as long as there is no extra cost to the papers will be marked more sity is in the examination season, they For those unable to attend the re- the sick bay students and those with me” worried Kyle at the time. ‘harshly,’ but we can confirm that this should take precautions in case such sit on 30th May, the School of Law is special circumstances. The University was quite quick to re- is not the case. In addition, the School events occur. They have still not de- prepared to make alternative arrange- “In order to ensure fairness, those spond, releasing a statement to Seren: of Law Examination Board will fully cided when the exams are going to be ments; students have also been offered the “First year and third year students take all the relevant circumstances rescheduled, which is a paramount “Students have been informed that opportunity to retake the examination following modules in Public Law and into account in its deliberations fol- factor for many internationals like us, if they cannot sit the rescheduled ex- should they so wish. Where students International Law were those mainly lowing the end of the examination who have booked their flights to go amination, they should contact the do choose to retake the examination, affected. Bangor University have apol- period” said Dr Osian Rees, Examina- back home” he said. School of Law as soon as possible so both papers will be marked, and the ogised to the students concerned and tions Officer for the School of Law. The Law School and the university that alternative arrangements can be best mark will be used” explained Dr in addition to rescheduling the exams, 224 students were affected by the have since proposed solutions to these made. The School will endeavour to Rees. have assured students that they will cancellation, including some from the issues. be as flexible as possible in this re- Whilst a serious issue for those in- not be disadvantaged as a result of this School of Modern Languages, who “I am very happy with the univer- spect, and options include sitting the volved, some have seen a funny side disruption” it said. were able to be moved to MALT to sity’s response to this problem. The paper on a different date, or making to it, with a Bangor Pigeon Twitter Bangor Students’ Union worked continue their exam. Some of those fact that the university considered the arrangements for students to sit the account appearing after the news first closely with the university to ensure affected include international stu- problems of international students as paper at an alternative venue, for ex- broke. In the last week not only has the that minimum disruption was caused dents who expressed worries resitting a main priority, and have come up ample at an institution in their home pigeon story been picked up by news and played a part in confirming ar- the exam due to prescheduled flights with various alternatives for the con- country” said Dr Rees. publications such as The Independent rangements. A rescheduled exam will home. venience of students. The university The School of Law have also con- and The Huffington Post, but now the take place on 30th May and will use a One student, Varun Hariharun, and law school has taken all possi- firmed arrangements for those who story has gone international, appear- ‘seen’ paper format. emailed Seren expressing his concern. ble steps for the benefit of students” weren’t able to complete the exam due ing on French news site 20 Minutes. “The School of Law is aware that May Issue 2014 | Seren 3 CONTENTS BECKI WATSON EDITOR [email protected] It feels incredibly surreal to be writ- ing this Editorial; rstly, because I can’t believe how fast this year has 16 own by, but also because I can’t quite come to terms with the fact 11 that this is my nal issue of Seren as Editor. We’ve had a great last few weeks, from our fantastic coverage of Varsity, to the election of our new committee, and winning a Wild Card award at the Society Awards! It’s hard to believe it’s all coming to an end, but I think we’ve gone out with a bang; even though at times during the making of this issue we de nitely wanted to be enjoying this gorgeous weather with a pint rather than stuck in the SU till 3am, I’m still really proud of how this edition’s turned out. We’ve got some great features for 18 22 you to check out this issue; like our review of the Wales Comic Con on News 4-7 page 26, as well as our breakdown Politics 8-9 of the Summer Ball with a chance for you to win a free ticket! We also end- Science 10-11 ed up going slightly World Cup crazy Environment 12-13 and decided to make a sweepstake kit for you guys, as well as taking our Comment 14-15 very own team photo (which de - Union 16-17 nitely didn’t end up with us kicking a football round the Media Room, or Societies 18-19 us forming our own team called the Business Awards 20-21 Seren Pigeons…) As well as all that, Film has a review TV 22-23 of Godzilla on page 25, Food has an Film 24-25 interview with the owners of Ban- gor’s newest cafe, and News has a Comic Con 26 special tribute to Bangor’s favourite feline, Security Cat (RIP). Music 28-29 Finally, all that’s left to say is thank Books 30-31 you; thanks to Becci, LJ, Nicola, Dan Fashion 32 29 and all the team who’ve made Seren fantastic this year, thanks to every- Summer Ball 33 2525 one at the SU who’ve supported us, and thanks to everyone who’s read Health & Beauty 34-35 Seren this year. Good luck to every- Arts & Culture 36-37 one in their nal assignments and to the students leaving this summer, Games 38-39 and good luck to Amy and her new Food & Drink 40-41 Seren team for next year! The views presented hereinafter Travel 42-43 do not represent the views of Seren Breaktime 44 Bangor, Bangor Students’ Union or World Cup 45 31 Bangor University. Sport 46-48 38 Seren is printed by NWN Media. Editor Becki Watson Food Harriet Weller 43 Deputy: Content Nicola Hoban TV Ida Vaisanen Deputy: Design Becci Jameson Film Jack Nicol Medwyn Roberts Tom Ricketts Franco Biondo Kayleigh Reid Secretary Ali Keshtmand Music Tom Bickerdike Charlotte Wright Antony Butcher Martyn Curzey Joe Keep News Charlotte Parker Books Amy Blackwell Wyatt Warner Rhys Taylor Callum Lewis Yan Trinh Environment Will Johnson Fashion James Holman Callum Hulme Nicola Pye Heather Boyles Lisa Irwin Science Edwin Pynegar Travel Steph Yeabsley Chris Glass Ash Kierans Jez Harvey Eddy Reynolds Comment Sinnead Towey Sport Kevin Gri n Gemma Simmons Max Dalley Kirsty Warren-Jones Jitsu Committee Arts and Culture Megan Townsend Design LJ Taylor Richard Dallison Sian Anderson Portia Helena Dodds Fiona Hailstone Health & Beauty Sara Williams Dan Turner Al Hulley Molly Czachur Lewis Jenkins Adam Gri ths Politics Emily Houlston- Nathan Bullen Jake Taylor Adam Williams Scott Willey Jones CONTRIBUTORS 4 Seren | May Issue 2014 NEWS In Brief Bangor in top 20 for student satisfaction BANGOR University has been placed in the top 20 in the UK for student satisfaction. is comes a er the Times Higher Education’s Student Experience Sur- vey. Vice-chancellor John G. Hughes said: “ e great experience the students have, along with the care they receive at Bangor have been key attractions to the University for generations, and it’s clear that our current students appreciate the whole, rounded expe- rience of studying here”. e survey shows that Bangor students highly rate the “helpful and interested” sta , the high quality of courses and commu- nity atmosphere, as well as the high standard of societies and extracur- ricular activities. University invests in future of football Pet Shop Boys at Bangor University and Bangor City FC team up to construct 3G pitch Portmeirion gor City’s Chairman.