The University of Surrey Students’ Union Newspaper issue 1041 www.ussu.co.uk THURSDAY 24 OCTOBER 2002 free SERIOUSLY Imperial College rector suggests market fees must make up for a lack of government funding SEXY WEEK BONANZA A preview of the Un- ion’s awareness week and some informative £15,000 tuition fees? articles on topics that THE PRESTIGIOUS UNIVERSITY Im- By Richard Watts really matter | page 10 perial College in London is planning to charge up to £15,000 per year following We would have a system where the most DAVE & ID SCHEDULES radical proposlas suggested by its rector, Sir important thing to secure a place at university Richard Sykes. would be a healthy bank account.” The ID Having calculated that it costs £10,500 With regard to the University of Surrey and DAVE a year to teach an undergraduate student, and the possibility of top-up fees, the Vice projects Sir Sykes’ suggestion for top-up fees rep- Chancellor, Professor Patrick Dowling, details for resented the most detailed blue-print to be himself a student of Imperial College, the next few discussed by any British university regard- released a statement to barefacts, which weeks in ing the introduction of market fees. said: “I am pleased to affirm that the one glossy In an interview with the Times Higher University of Surrey has no plans to poster | Education supplement, Sir Richard said: introduce top up fees. As an institution, we page 15 “Prestigious universities cannot rely on gov- are, however, cognisant of current debates ernment to provide the resources to enhance regarding this issue and are aware that the academic standards in an international mar- landscape in which we operate is likely ket.” This echoes the sentiment of Professor to change considerably in the light of the Abdrew Oswald of the University of War- Government’s review of higher education. IN THIS WEEK’S PAPER wick, who advocated top-up fees over the The University will therefore need to summer saying “Britain cannot have first- remain sensitive to the impact of the review Attacks in and around Guildford class universities on fourth-class funding.” and respond in a strategic manner to any Students at Imperial have already staged challenges posed by it. News on further attacks and robberies to a silent protest opposing the suggestions. Under the proposals to Imperials’ fees, have taken place in Guildford over the last Students’ Union President, Sen Ganesh, the college would adopt a “needs-blind” for teaching would be spent on bursaries couple of weeks News | page 3 said: “We are concerned that most Imperial admissions system. The £47m funding for students who could not afford otherwise students are already expected to contribute council grant that the university receives to attend university. The same fee would Choose your victor to some of these costs and any extra finan- be charged for all courses in order to stop Philip Howard responds to Roland Heap’s cial burden may further increase student students choosing specific disciplines that article on a duel between George Bush and hardship.” INSIDE are less expensive to undertake, though any Saddam Hussein Comment | page 5 Though the governing council of scheme would not be introduced until the Imperial College London has approved the barefacts believes: students need to ask autumn of 2006 at the earliest. What is Student Council? extraordinary hike in fees the only vote themselves the question “why do we deserve a Sir Sykes’ proposal says that the univeristy free education? | Comment must charge “fees whcih reflect the true A look at the most important democratic against the motion was from the sole student body in the Students’ Union and how it representative. NUS National President John Slater on university mergers and economic costs of undergraduate education” works Union | page 8 Mandy Telford said: “Top up fees quite where the federation of the University of provided other universities charge similar simply would cripple higher education. Surrey lies within the future of education fees. barearts goes to lots of gigs Coldplay, Death in Vegas and the lesser- known Dream Theater: busy bunnies we have been, you know barearts | page 19 Stop the War Coalition hold talk on campus A guide to the adolescent male The five top addictions of a teenage male Local group invite speakers to motivate students for the National Day of Action adolescent throught the eyes of one Mr Andrew Mendes | page 22 THE SURREY STOP the War Coalition is By Richard Watts the issues associated with the War on Iraq to hold a talk at the University of Surrey will be shown on Thursday 31st October Ski team go skiing at least in conjunction with the Green Society on newsletter published last week, they call at 7.30pm in the Guildford Institute. For Wednesday 30th October. The talk, which for more activity and visibility beyond more information on this and any SSWC A nice couple of pictures of the King’s ski will see the Green Party MEP for South Guildford into “other town-centres where activities, please contact John Morris on races at which the University of Surrey ski East England, Caroline Lucas, speaking members live.” The Planning Committee [01483] 576400. team didn’t do too good Sport | page 28 is to take place the day before the Stop of the SSWC encourage the War Coalition has its National Day of each individual member Action. The day is designed to build on to gather signatures the momentum generated by the march on petitions, raise in London two weeks ago and will entail discussions at local lots of local events throughout the country, churches, schools and culminating in synchronised demonstrations workplaces, hand out and protests across the country. leaflets and encourage The aims of the Surrey Stop the War donations to the SSWC. Coalition are to continue to mobilise the A video, entitled public and create public awareness and “Not in My Name,” concern regarding war. In a recent highlighting some of 2 NEWS 24 October 2002 The Surrey Advertiser picks up on parking problems Estelle Morris Local MP involved in “discussions” with University chiefs faces new calls An article appeared in the Surrey Advertiser impossible to get your car out of the roads for her resignation this week telling of the “parking nightmare” – in St John’s Road, where I live, there were faced by residents in Guildford that has 48 cars parked either side of the road.” Ms By Dan Ashley forced the University of Surrey to “review Doughty said that she has been in touch its policy on student drivers.” several times with the university but that The Education Secretary Estelle Morris is According to the article, Sue Doughty, the “nothing so far had been done.” facing renewed calls to resign - over an Member of Parliament for Guildford, has She said: “There has been a substantial apparent failure to honour her own promise met with University chiefs and was given problem, especially in Dennisville, for quite to resign if targets were missed. But in assurances that students parking in the a while, but I don’t think the university response Ms Morris says she wants “to be Dennisville residential area, close to the A3, appreciated how much of a problem it is. judged on a wide range of targets” and has would be “brought to book.” “I have taken the issue up with the rejected calls to step down. Ms Morris, who Residents are saying that the parking university more than once but have not had the local police, our Students’ Union adn faced calls to resign over the A-levels fiasco, problems in the area are acute and that one a response so hopefully now something will individual students to resolve each problem found herself at the centre of the storm after family in St John’s Road are building a drive be done.” as appropriate.” Tory researchers discovered a little-noticed to their house in order to be able to get in and On behalf of the university, it is reported barefacts has also learned of growing parliamentary exchange in 1999 in which out. It was reported that one of the Union’s that a spokesperson said: “The university is concern regarding the Walnut Tree Close she promised to resign if the targets were minibuses can also be found parked in this currently reviewing the contract which our area of Town and disturbances caused by not met by 2002. But last year, by which area quite frequently. students sign undertaking not to bring a car students on their way home from nights time she had succeeded David Blunkett as The article then goes on to say that “the to Guildford. out in Guildford. Concern has been raised education secretary, Ms Morris said that she university says a ‘review’ of its policy of “How this contract is agreed and enforced regarding students “urinating into gardens” had never pledged to resign. deterring students bringing cars would is being studied in the context of our and causing general disturbances at times be undertaken to try to find a solution to experience of other universities on this thought inappropriate by residents along the problem.” One resident, who did not issue. Where specific cases of nuisance arise the main thoroughfare between town and want to be named, said: “Sometimes it is we investigate and work with the council, campus. THE UNIVERSITY OF Manchester’s boards of both institutions had voted for the Academics planned merger with UMIST hit a major plans to go ahead. The plan is to create the snag earlier last week when academics “fourth powerhouse” of universities in Brit- stall from the Association of University Teachers ain, alongside the golden triangle of Oxford, rejected all plans that had been proposed.