26 issue April 1999 1142 KEEP THE CAT FREE EST. 1949 The Students' Newspaper at Imperial College Success for IC's Second Ball The summer ball is definitely going ahead the day before IC's, on Thursday 24 June. at Alexandra Palace on Friday 25 June. The By Ed Sexton Wade Gayed, ICSM president, was insistent decision to confirm the event was taken that he did support the IC ball, but was despite the sponsorship problems the ball to the Alumni Office, under the guidance assuming 1500 tickets are sold (generating mindful that there arc "strong feelings for has been facing, leaving the summer ball of Clive Oakley, with £3000 to £5000 now just over £80,000). The Union has under• a separate ball in ICSM". Although sup• committee with the daunting but accom• looking like an achievable amount of written the event, meaning that any short• portive of the idea of a combined ball, he plishable task of acquiring funds for the ball money from old Imperial students. Approx• fall will have to met from the Union's felt that the medical merger was not long this term. David Hellard, ICU President, imately £2000 in sponsorship was also reserve funds, "tickets arc £10 more than enough ago to stage such an event; "one has welcomed the news, assuring stu• obtained over Easter. College, however, last year, costing £55 for students. Nick Grif• year is too soon to expect a single ball... no dents that "anyone who goes will love it." have been less forthcoming. Nick Griffith, fith justified the increase by explaining the medics are going lo IC's ball, except first years". Dave Hellard agreed that a lot of first The summer ball was in and out of Chairman of the summer ball committee, variety of attractions that should be present year medics would come to IC's ball, and financial difficulties for much of last term presented college with a proposal at this year's ball. The event should include said he could "understand why they want ('Summer Ball's Sponsorship Ordeal, Felix Intended to encourage sponsorship of a big wheel, a classic horse carousel, their own ball", but went on to claim "ours issue 1134), after a succession of spon• the ball some time ago. In Ihe proposal he dodgems, a casino, a cover band and, will be better". The summer ball has sur• sorship deals with various companies fell pointed out that such an event "reflects hopefully, a guest speaker. Coaches to vived the politics and financial troubles, through. It had been hoped that Procter & highly on the college" and would attract the event arc being provided by Capital however; now it is up to the students to Gamble would provide a large amount of alumni and staff, as well as current stu• Coaches, and should hopefully be better make it a success. money for the event - in an email dated 19 dents. If the ball became an annual event, organised than last year, when most of the february a representative stated that sev• like the May balls at Oxford and Cam• coaches were late. eral recruiters "would like to offer some bridge, it could also promote Imperial in As well as praising the Alumni Office, Information sponsorship". On 21 March, however, Proc• the media and industry sectors. College Nick Griffith cautiously welcomed the Tickets go on sale from the Union Office ter & Gamble decided to pull out of the rejected these arguments, with the Deputy Union's support, thinking that "the sabbs on Friday 30 May deal. On the same weekend Unilever also Rector insisting that he could not give deserve some credit". Feelings towards - £55 for students pulled out, leaving the ball without any money from his funds, as these are the ball in the Union have been mixed, - £65 for staff major sponsors. Since then the committee reserved for academic developments. mainly due to the serious financial problem The summer ball committee would wel• has had some success, with sponsorship Dave Hellard summed up how he saw the that will result if tickets do not sell well. come suggestions for the guest speaker from Goldmann Sachs and L'Oreal looking College's position,- "anything to do with the Another contentious issue is the relation• Email [email protected] likely. students should be funded by the Union". ship between the ball and the ICSM sum• More info: www.su.lc.ac.uk/summerball More progress has been made thanks Currently a further £7500 is needed, mer ball, which is scheduled to take place Medics Football Fall from Grace Inside.. m ICSM Football has sensationally been all matches a possibility"- In this way, every stripped of the First Division Championship, By David Roberts match in which Dr Houghton played would Letters - Health Centre 4 as a result of last minute wranglings from be declared an opposition walkover, and arch-rivals Guy's, Kings and Thomas' (GKT). them promotion to the Premier Division thus ICSM would be relegated to Division Editorial - Comment 5 The Kings Medics successfully (where they replace the relegated Royal Two. If that were not bad enough, the appealed against two fixtures, in which School of Mines squad). Meanwhile, ICSM knock-on effect would be the automatic Columns -AllCampbell 6 they claimed ICSM Firsts had fielded a Firsts drop into third place, behind UCL's sec• demotion of ICSM Seconds to Division ringer, in the shape of Dr Jonathan ond string. Three, as UL rules state that no reserve team BirttldayS-A space filler 8 Houghton. Dr Houghton completed his the ultimate placings, however, arc. may play In the same division as their firsts. course last year, and consequently is no still not final. ICSM have appealed against However, the most likely scenario ArtS - ICU Choir 9 longer eligible for UL competition, but it is the decision, and, although their appeal has remains the current status quo, as eligibil• believed that he has played in all but two been rejected by UL Sports League Co• ity cannot usually be disputed after a match, ClubSCene - Paul van Dyk 10 games of the season. Indeed, if the results ordinator Ruth Crawford at the first stage, unless (as in this case) the player con• of all the games in which his name appears the final decision of Neil Walker (ULU's cerned failed to produce a valid ID when MUSiC - tminem 14 on the teamsheet were overturned, ICSM Sports Officer) was not known at time of asked to do so by the opposlton on the day would be left with just six points - and going to press. Whilst it is possible that the of the match. Consequently, as GKT arc the Film - Orgazmo 16 would face relegation to the Second Divi• ICSM victories over GKT could be reinstated, only side to have disputed eligibility, the two sion. the appeal also carries with it considerable matches which have already been voided Games - X-Wing Alliance 18 are the only ones which can realistically be Crucially, the reversal of the two dangers, as an appeals panel would have, called into question. matches (in both of which Dr Houghton in Ruth Crawford's words, "every opportu• Sport - Netball Tour 20 scored) means a six point swing from ICSM nity to take whatever decision they felt Unfortunately, none of the ICSM squad to GKT, moving the Kings Medics to 43 appropriate...it is not beyond the realms of were available for comment - we'll bring CrOSSWOrd -bySheep 20 points, and thus into first place, earing possibility that they could deem voiding of you the final decision next week. 2 News 26 April 1999 In brief... knowledge of Swedish is not required, Millennium Fever Computing Chartered although it may prove useful in the uni• versity bars! The scholarship covers all The last day of the spring term culmi• Joint Mathematics and Computing stu• fees and hall accommodation, as well as issue 1142 nated in the usual fiesta that is the Car• dents look set to gain Chartered Engineer a monthly bursary, but not travel costs. nival. Although millennium fever failed to status when they graduate, provided that Candidates must be UK nationals, usually 26 April 1999 build up in respect to ticket sales com• they do enough computing. The Insti• resident in Britain, and be expecting to pared to other carnivals, this was more tute of Chartered Engineers recently get a first or second class degree from Editor: Ed Sexton than adequately compensated for by a reviewed the Department of Comput• Imperial (normally an MLng or MSci). Assistant Editor & films: David Roberts more mature and appreciative crowd. ing's undergraduate courses, according The deadline for applications is 10 May Music Editors: Dennis Patrickson The numerous house and garage to their new regulations. The 12 month and forms are available from Room 319, & Jason Ramanathan fans at IC had their moment when Sher- MSc course in Advanced Computing has Sherfield Building. For more information Arts & Books Editor: Helena Cocheme field's own security stalwarts otherwise also been accredited; Director of Studies contact the registry or Nigel Wheatley, Games Editor: Gary Smith known as Chilliblank mixed the tunes. The Margaret Cunningham believes that this the Deputy Academic Registrar,- n.wheat- Clubscene: Giles Morrison, room was culturally inspired by Arthur C is the first course of its kind to be recog• [email protected]. Gurminder Marwaha & Joel Lewis Clarke's epic, 2001 A Space Odyssey, nised. The Computing courses have while as usual the chill-out room was been re-accredited; an MEng in com• Biochemistry Fire caused by a notebook left on some well refreshed by its selection of enticing puting will give Chartered status, while a equipment, was soon extinguished, and cocktails.