iisiiil • ..... Cover: Rectoi ion Time - The Answ< la, p3 ! Rector's Question Time: 'I don't think that starving is the next option' Sir Eric Ash, Rector of Imperial College, took part in a question and answer session on Monday evening. Over a hundred students listened as Sir Eric fielded questions on a'wide range of student and non student issues. Union President , Mr Paul Shanley, chaired the discussion and took both prepared and spontaneous questions from the floor. Despite the controversial nature of many of the topics raised the atmosphere remained relaxed and somewhat informal. Although many questions centered on student concerns, money and accommodation - the lack of it, the presence of college staff ensured a broader base to the discussion. The most notable aspect of the discussion was the circular nature of many problems facing both student and staff alike; at the centre of that circle was money. In Sir Eric's own words 'people might find it hard to believe but before I came to Imperial I was not obsessed with money.' In answer to the question 'Now that the binary divide has gone, and that some polytechnics in London may achieve University status, is it time that Imperial should reconsider the benefits of London University and investigate opting out?' Sir Eric stated 'we haven't stopped thinking about it (opting out)'. He continued that althrinoh Imrwiiil '^a "6" iO run our own (university)', with Imperial Caught between the Devil and the deep blue sea gaining little benefit in terms of cut price deals organised through the University of investment of a loan. frustrated at the delay caused by a London, the academic 'riches are The Rector did admit that financing of characteristically lengthy consultative fantastic' Sir Eric went on to advocate a loans for accommodation was partly process that included a student union, course unit system where students could funded by student rents and it was this college wide referendum. The Rector mix and match their degree choosing factor that influenced the steep rent rises stated that this issue was 'not a good from not just one but all the collegiate proposed for next year. In answer to the example for the application of members of the University of London. widely held belief that Imperial in democracy.' The Rector also said that 'the Sir Eric proved unflappable in the face common with other London colleges conservatism of the staff is exceeded by of searching questions about the future of could be pricing itself out.of the market the conservatism of the students.' Montpelier Hall and postgraduate SirEric replied 'the grants are greater in According to Sir Eric a lengthened accommodation in general. Commenting London than they are elsewhere'. This college day would not result in increased on the handling of the Montpelier sale to comment was received with polite lectures but the more effective use of date Sir Eric admitted ' I think we've derision from the assembled students. college facilities. Sceptical students made a terrible mess of it ', a comment Realising his mistake the Rector sobered wondered how a longer day tied in with on the allegedly shoddy way the residents up and said 'rent is the key issue'. One the Rector's proposal that students should of the hall have been treated and the student said that he had such little money be prepared to take on part-time work. uncertainty over exactly how long they he couldn't afford to live but the Rector Looking to the future and for a few had left in Montpelier. Sir Eric did seem a said 'I don't think that starving is the next brief moments away from the bank little confused saying on the one hand option.' The Rector's dual solution to balance the Rector did not see student 'there is no definite plan to sell the hall' student's financial problems involved numbers increasing in the coming years. and added 'but we're broke.' However borrowing money and earning money. He He did foresee a turn 'toward the the Rector did admit 'I hope we won't but said that his American wife Clare held up postgraduate side' but remained we probably will.' The Rector raised the to seven jobs to work her way through committed to Imperial's undergraduate controversial topic of the Clayponds her university . courses. Sir Eric linked his proposal for a purchase independently of any question. These comments provoked further unified course system with the inclusion He connected the issue as an illustration controversy when the sensitive subject of of a more varied humanities programme. of how much cheaper accommodation the lengthening of the college day was Sir Eric told the sorry tale of Imperial's becomes the further it is from college and raised. The Rector is determined to see one and only philosopher; he left because defended the buy as not simply the his proposals for a longer college day put he didn't have ahy other philosophers to creation of further debt but the sound into practice as soon as possible and is talk to. 2 ULU's aid to Romania Members of the Royal College of Science the buildings and the toys will help in the Union (RCSU) are taking part in a relief care of the children as the main aim of operation to Romania this summer. the operation is to improve the In Brief Martin Heighway, a postgraduate student, environment of the orphanage and add a of the RCSU is co-ordinating the little humanity to lives of the children in • Beit Theft A student living on the second floor of mobilisation of twelve helpers to Zvoristia them. the New Hostel, Beit Hall, was burgled Moldavia. These volunteers will work in Relief in the guise of supplies is of no last Friday afternoon. The student left his an orphanage for mentally handicapped use to Romania's orphans said Mr room unlocked while he cooked in the children which is over crowded and Heighway, and he told of a recent kitchen at the end of second floor contains mant children with the AIDS convoy from the German section of St corridor. His wallet was removed from virus. Johns ambulance which was packed with his room and its contents emptied out on The aid organisation 'Romania Aid UK' provisions that was refused entry at the the floor of the men's toilets nearby, the contacted the RCSU through a St Johns Romanian border. He said that there money being taken. College security said ambulance group from University of were incidences of relief supplies ending that they knew nothing of the incident. London Union which requested fifteen up on the Romanian black market, as had volunteers, but to date almost thirty been widely reported in the national • Promotion people have come forward. Mr Heighway press. Dr Anne Dell, a reader in the intends to take up to twelve volunteers to Apart from helping in the orphanage, biochemistry department, has been made Romania using union mini-buses. The which is the main objective of the trip, a professor. Dr Dell studied for her first group will set out late on the evening of the group also plans to make contact with degree in chemistry at the University of Friday 12th July and the itself will take the local universities. They hope to Western Australia and continued with a up to three days covering two thousand encourage university members to play a Phd. at Cambridge. Speaking yesterday, miles each way. The group plans to take more active role in the care of children Dr Dell said she was 'very happy' with one rest day before starting work in the in the orphanage. her appointment, which will take effect orphanage and the drivers will return to Part of Mr Heighway's responsibilities from October. London within a week, leaving the as transport officer is to search for Dr Dell's research is funded by the remaining volunteers in Romania for up sponsorship to contribute to the trip's Medical Research Council and recent to several weeks. considerable travel costs. The operation work on tissue plasminogen activator has Mr Heighway stressed that the purpose has already received £1000 sponsorship resulted in its successful use in the of the operation was not to take in from IC Rag. On behalf of the RCSU, Mr treatment of heart attacks. supplies but to actually work in the Heighway said 'we're very grateful'. orphanage. The minibuses will be Potential sponsors should contact Mr • BOC New Deal? carrying paint and cuddly toys in addition Heighway through the RCSU, office on Mr Ian Greaves, the purchasing manager to people and their belongings. The paint 071 225 8675. at IC, is examining new proposals for the is to improve the internal environment of payment of IC's annual gas bill. Until recently Imperial was part of a blanket agreement made between BOC and British universities. According to Mr Greaves this contract meant that 'big guys propped up little guys', so that major users such as Imperial and University College paid slightly more for their gas and thereby subsidised smaller scale customers. BOC has presented restructuring proposals that still keep the universities under one umbrella, although the larger subscribers have their costs reduced at the expense of the smaller ones. Mr Greaves said that he would have to make a 'more comprehensive evaluation' of the plan before he decided whether to accept it or not. • MBA Fees Up The Management School's MSc course in Management has been retitled the MBA in Management. Mr Roger Betts, the course director, said that the change in title was not related to the increase in course fees from £3,500 to £4,500.