14 The award-winning student newspaper of Imperial College . 05 “Keep The Cat Free” . Issue 1,461 10 ffelixelix felixonline.co.uk This week... Funding review protest A promising future lies ahead for graduates DDanan WanWan Editor-in-Chief mperial College Union took part in a protest that saw students from the 20 leading English uni- Iversities demand that “disingen- uous” tactics by their institutions stop. Ashley Brown, Imperial College Union President, entered the Russell Group offices alongside other student representatives from across the coun- News, Page 3 try this past Monday. They handed over a strong letter of protest insisting that the Russell Group publish their reports submitted to Lord Browne’s Labour in government: The review on higher education fees. The Russell Group is a collective of good, bad and the ugly 20 leading universities, including Im- perial College. The Aldwych Group is a the student union counterpart, describing themselves as the Russell Group’s “watchdog”. The Russell Group had reportedly refused to publicly divulge the content of reports that were to be submitted to the Indepedent Review of Higher Education Funding and Student Fi- nance. The review is led by ex-BP Chief Executive, Lord Browne. How- ever, a spokesperson for the Russell Politics, Page 8 Group told felix that they had “always intended to make the reports publicly available.” Lord Browne had asked all relevant A beautiful linger: Scents parties from across the country to sub- mit a first round of written arguments of the past and present and viewpoints for a review that on completion, will influence the Govern- ment’s decision on increasing univer- sity tuition fees. The 1994 Group, who represent a lower tier of British uni- versities, have already submitted their reports alongside around 90 other in- stitutions. They are all publically avail- able on the Review’s official website, but one report’s admission has been noted: The Russell Group’s. Students protest against Oxford University Student Union had requests for freedom of informa- universities over tuition fee Fashion, Page 17 tion on this report previously rejected; The Russell Group had asked their re- ports to be kept confidential until pub- recommendations lication. Continued on page 4 How to lose friends, but win an argument Controversial cinema Blasphemy, terrorists and ‘freaks’ are just some of the most contentious subjects in the history of film. For more, see page 12 and 13 Hangman, Page 23 2 felix FRIDAY 14 MAY 2010 NNewsews EEditorditor KKadhimadhim SShubberhubber NEWS [email protected] Students apprehensively pleased with Phase 3 designs Artists’ impressions of the unnamed bar (currently da Vinci’s), left , and the new nightclub Metric, left. Students are wary of the overly “clas sy” look the Union have gone for. RRoxox MMiddletoniddleton dBs’ grubby façade will also be left straight onto the wall. exposed to give a “warehouse feel” al- colourful and have a bit more artwork” raised over acoustics in such a space The Phase 3 team are calling for eve- and an online commentator described though the dancefloor in front of the ryone with an opinion to comment and how nice it would be during the As dBs is being stripped behind board- stage will be wooden. The permanent the plans as looking like “oversized day. Phase 3 responded that they were ed-up doors, the Union’s Phase 3 build- online, and are stressing that there is bachelor pads”. DJ booth behind the stage is described still scope for alterations to the plans. consulting with ‘professional sound ing redevelopment team have released as the “centerpiece of Metric, com- The biggest bone of contention companies’ and that lighting would be the first artistic impressions of plans felix went out to find out what the amongst everyone surveyed, both on plete with an LED acrylic wall which opinion was amongst students around key to the day/night transformation. for the interiors of both Metric and the can change colour and design”. and offline was the furniture. Phase 3 They will also be working on measures Imperial. Reactions were reasonably were quick to point out that the furni- new (nameless) bar. Two detailed im- The scheme also gives more infor- to prevent the club getting too cold to ages can be found on the Union web- positive although with typical pessi- ture in the bar “is only an indication”, mation about how Metric will be used, mistic style, one fresher described the drink in during the day. Many con- site, along with lots of photos of the including a proposed low-ceilinged and would be discussed in a meeting cerns were also voiced about the dan- work going on inside the old dBs. Bar plans as “way TOO nice” and an- that took place yesterday. The chairs area with comfortable booth seat- other commented “it looks classy, but gers of the concrete floor when wet for These are the first designs to be ing away from the dancefloor. It’ll be were widely criticized for their unsus- drunk people slipping over, but phase released to student opinion, and the it also looks like a place where you’d tainably light colour and fragility and open seven days a week and although get kicked out of if you were wank- 3 were quick to reassure students that Phase 3 team are trying hard to gauge not pictured, the plan is apparently were derided for not providing a con- it would be perfectly safe. it, in line with their policy of involving ered”. The plans were also described as vivial enough atmosphere. Most peo- for removable furniture to convert the misrepresentative because “it looks a There are a few comparisons of students in every step of the develop- venue for daytime use as well. ple complained that benches would be Eastside bar with the new venue, both lot bigger in the pictures than it is” and better to provide enough comfortable ment. They are replying to comments The bar which will replace daVinci’s positive and negative, with some peo- posted on the phase 3 blog with expla- as “not stunning but they’re a step in seating, although phase 3 said that is also shown with exposed brick- the right direction.” One Union punter ple thinking the plans look too much nations of the scheme and promises to work behind the counter. The rest of benches were not consistent with the like the existing bar-restaurant and consider students’ suggestions. said ambiguously “if this bar was in atmosphere they wanted to create. it is much more upmarket than da- Hammersmith I wouldn’t go in.” Com- others describing them as a good al- Metric’s look, as described on the Vinci’s currently; plans show a pol- Metric’s plans were even more high- ternative to it. blog, will have a floor made of “pol- ments online are mostly very support- ly praised as “definitely … an alterna- ished wooden floor, concrete below ive, and most people like the colours ished concrete which is not only hard- and above the bar itself and baby- tive to other clubs in London as a night wearing, but also provides an edgy, and modern design, although a few out”, “Fabric-esque” and “just the right blue painted walls. Gone are the TV people were in favour of brighter col- modern urban feel”. Brickwork and screens and instead there are plans to mix of student and chic”. Generally Do you agree? Ensure your opinion is beams that have been found behind our scheme. One person we spoke to the ‘industrial’ atmosphere was com- project sports and other programmes said “it needs to be a lot more fun and heard by commenting; to do so visit mended although doubts have been the Union website and Phase 3 blog. 14 Felix, Beit Quad, Prince Consort Road, London SW7 2BB. Tel: 020 7594 8072. Fax: 020 7594 8065. Printed by The Harmsworth Printing Ltd, Northcliffe House, . 05 Meadow Road, Derby, DE1 2BH Registered newspaper ISSN 1040-0711. felix 1,461 Jigsaw font by typotheque.com. Happy Birthday Adrian! Copyright © Felix 2010. 10 This issue of felix was brought to you by: Editor-in-Chief Editor-in-Prowling Deputy Editor Copy Chief Dan Wan Kadhim Shubber Gilead Amit Sasha Nicoletti Assistant Editors Business Editor Music Editors Politics Editors: Jovan Nedić Sina Ataherian Kadhim Shubber James Goldsack Charlotte Morris Alex Ashford Katya-yani Vyas H. G. WELLS International Editor Luke Turner James Lees News Editor Tom Greany 11990404 ANNNNUAUAL Kadhim Shubber Comment Editors Travel Editor Film Editor Ravi Pall Dylan Lowe Clubs and Socs Editor ARTS ANNUAL OF News Reporters Ed Knock Charlotte Morris Rox Middleton Alex Kendall Coffee Break Editor Joanna Cai Technology Editor IMPERIAL COLLEGE Science Editors Charles Murdoch Features Editor Alex Karapetian Samuel Gibbs Brigette Atkins Alice Rowlands Afonso Campos Nathan Ley Puzzles Captain Sports Editors Sean Farres Layout Editors Mustapher Botchway What’s On Editor Marc Kerstein Carlos Karingal David Wilson Your poetry, fiction, photography and Ziggi Szafranski Photography Matt Colvin Holly Farrer Indy Leclercq Ben Smith Lizzy Griffiths artwork to [email protected] by Arts Editors Alex Karapetian Ayyub Kamaludin Online Editors Fashion Editor Caz Knight Jamie Beal Ravi Pall Kawai Wong Friday 21st May. Rosie Milton Catnip Editor Richard Howard Chris Birkett Saskia Verhagen Lucy Harrold Rhys Davies Stefan Zeeman felix FRIDAY 14 MAY 2010 3 NEWS Imperial graduates ‘will mould future’ As 2,000 postgraduates were awarded degrees, Sir Keith O’Nions told Imperial graduates that they will be able to be the future of science. He might just be right. Alexander Karapetian and Joanna Cai report.